To improve the production and commercialization of vegetables, transforming local vegetables into veggie chips for the market is a viable approach. A research for development (R4D) technology was introduced to the community of Camarines Norte through the project implemented by DA-Bicol Region titled, “Market Assessment and Refinement of Veggie Chips in Camarines Norte”, funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR).
Project leader Maria Vivian I. Ayo explained that veggie chips are thin, crispy, and healthy snacks made by frying a mixture of vegetable puree, flour, and a few extra ingredients. The project introduced six variants: carrots, tomatoes, squash, malunggay, ampalaya, and okra. These chips retained the natural colors of the vegetables and were packed in sealed pouches of three sizes: 50g, 100g, and 250g. The process included washing, peeling, grating, pureeing or dehydrating, mixing, rolling, cutting, frying, cooling, flavoring, and packing.
Women, especially housewives and members of Farmer Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs), were encouraged to grow vegetables and eventually process them into veggie chips. This not only added to their family income but also helped the economic growth and food security of their families and community. In this project, the FCA named The Helping Hands Community Organization (HHCO) was involved.
Established in 2018 with 20 members (13 female and 7 male), HHCO had previously engaged in various livelihood activities like basket weaving and crafting with coconut and pili shells. However, due to low demand during the pandemic, these activities were stopped. Consequently, some HHCO members shifted to producing veggie chips and other food products, drawing from their experience as production staff at Jireh Food Products.
The organization's president, who owned the enterprise producing veggie chips, shared her business knowledge with members, aiming to uplift their economic conditions. The group received training on production planning, inventory management, good manufacturing practices, sanitation standard operating procedures, packaging, labeling, and entrepreneurial competency development.
HCCO was encouraged to sell veggie chips online for increased sales, and was also urged to improve processing technology, maintain equipment regularly, and consider buying new equipment for better efficiency.
This is one of the R4D technologies that DA-BAR director Junel B. Soriano reiterated his commitment to supporting agricultural initiatives and fostering further research collaboration and support during site visits on 20-22 February 2024. It is also among the products showcased during the inauguration of DA RFO 5 TechnoMerkado on 20 February 2024.