Buguias, Benguet-- The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC), and the province of Benguet celebrated a successful milestone through a turnover ceremony of the SAVERS (Safe Vegetables from Rich Soil) technology and its facilities, on March 19, 2025, at the Caza de Yzabelle, Abatan, Buguias, Benguet.
The SAVERS technology project is a four-year initiative (2021-2025) that aims to provide Filipino farmers with sustainable farming technology and infrastructure. It encourages the use of organic additions like compost, charcoal, and mokusaku (wood vinegar) as an innovative method for soil revitalization to improve crop resilience and soil fertility. It was complemented by Farmers Improvement Vegetable Packing and Shipment (FIVPS) Technology which optimized post-harvest operations to reduce waste and increase market efficiency.
During its implementation, 35 SAVERS seminars were held across the country to train farmers, agribusiness students, and local agriculture officials. In addition, 27 mokusaku production facilities and demonstration farms were established in key farming areas of Benguet and Quezon. Also, a 16-million-peso cold storage facility equipped with solar panels was built in Buguias, Benguet.
The SAVERS technology and facilities are expected to boost Benguet's farming practices and infrastructure, paving the way for the region's more resilient and productive agricultural future.
