Community-Based Enterprise Development in the AMIA (Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture) Villages in San Francisco, Quezon, Philippines

Abstract

Abstract This research project sought to establish a community-based enterprise in the AMIA Villages in San Francisco, Quezon, Philippines. This was carried out through a three-phase community-based participatory action research (CBPAR). The first phase constitutes the needs assessment which was done using mixed-methods – sequential explanatory research to generate an action plan for the succeeding phases. The second phase is the product formulation and production processes which were composed of participatory learning trials (PLT), physicochemical and microbial analysis, and packaging. The last phase is the capacity-building and market linkage survey. Results showed that the villagers are producing bananas, coconut, swine, poultry, yam or ube, and rice. However, yam or ube was the top raw agricultural produce with the potential for product development. Six (6) ube food products were developed – ube nuts polvoron, ube pastillas, ube powder, ube mochi, ube halaya, and ube pocket pie. Among these products, only ube powder was subjected to testing while ube nuts polvoron, ube pastillas, and ube powder were labeled and packaged. These were some initial steps to establish the legal requirements for the approval of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). The product costing for ube powder commands higher profit but on the contrary, it is seen with the least market value due to its unknown purpose. Ube food production together with identified topics for entrepreneurial development formed a series of modules for capability building. Lastly, there were eleven (11) cooperatives identified as the potential market linkage of the AMIA Villages. Specific recommendations to improve the products and strengthen the enterprise were set forth.