The Integrated Product Development Program for CARP SMEs of DTI-CARP Bukidnon was conceptualized at the beginning of the 2nd Semester of 2007 and implemented in the last quarter of the same year. The target beneficiaries of the project are agrarian reform community (ARC) People's Organizations (POs) in the province.
The Integrated Product Development for CARP SMEs was divided into two components: a) product quality enhancement for existing products and development of new products in ARCs; and b) Development of New Labels and Enhancement of Existing Labels.
DTI-CARP Bukidnon hired Ms. Sylvia Aguhob of Xavier University-Food Technology Department as consultant for the first component of the project. She went to the target beneficiaries and consulted with them regarding the problems encountered with their existing product.
There are two beneficiaries for the product quality enhancement: the First Agrarian Reform Muti-purpose Cooperative (FARM Coop) of Sumilao, Bukidnon and the Nagkahiusang Pundok sa Kababayen-an sa Songco Multipurpose Cooperative (NPKS MPC) of Songco, Lantapan. FARM Coop developed a two new products: banana wine and banana vinegar. The NPKS MPC, on the other hand, seeks to improve the quality as well as the shelf life of their existing product--the papaya pickle, which can now be sold up to six months without getting spoiled.
The Label Enhancement/Label Development component of the project benefited seven (7) CARP SMEs and developed a total of seven (7) labels, one each for every SME. The consultant tasked to do the job of improving the labels of the SMEs is Ms. Clara Asuncion Elizaga, an industrial design consultant from Cagayan de Oro City. She conducted a seminar regarding the basics of packaging and labeling. Then she proceeded with a one-on-one consultation with the clients regarding what they want to put on their labels. The following labels were developed for this project component:
