Block farming or the consolidation of small sugarcane farms of agrarian reform beneficiaries to ensure plantation scale profit, is beginning to bear fruit with their produce having doubled in the last two years, Sugar Regulator Administrator Ma. Regina Martin said yesterday.

The key to surviving the ASEAN Free Trade Area agreement is for farmers to lower cost, increase production, and become more efficient, she said.

And, at the rate block farming is going, Martin said there is nothing to fear or worry about beyond 2015.

Martin was one of the speakers at the Peace and Equity Foundation Kapihan Session attended by representatives of foundations and cooperatives in the sugarcane industry at the Sugar Industry Foundation Inc. Training Center in Talisay City.

The Kapihan was held to discuss how businesses and farmers can continue to develop in a low to zero tariff ASEAN next year, Roberto Calingo, PEF executive director, said.

PEF is an organization that aims to help poor households by supporting, promoting and scaling up sustainable social enterprises in communities, he said.

PEF is funding small farmers in two block farms in Kabankalan City, he said.

Three to two hectare farms have been consolidated into 30-hectare block farms, which PEF is providing financing for farm inputs, labor and training, Calingo said.

They need to improve farm yields and manage cost, he said, and so far it looks like they will be enjoying a much higher sugarcane yield.

Martin said there are currently 29 sugarcane block farms in the country and they hope to create 68 more, she said.

The SRA has hired 100 additional agriculturists and engineers on a contractual basis for six months to fast track the creation and success of block farms, she said.

Pacita Juan, PEF treasurer, stressed the need explore the production of value added sugar products for specialty upscale markets to boost earnings.

People are becoming more conscious of their health in the United States and are shifting from the use of high fructose corn syrup to cane sugar.

We should take advantage of this and seize the opportunities by making value added sugar products, she said.

We cannot depend on government to do everything, she said.

Edith Villanueva, SIFI president, said they are looking at best practices that will optimize sugar production at lower costs.*CPG

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