DA Allocates P130 Million to Elevate Cordillera Agriculture

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has earmarked over P130 million in financial aid to bolster vegetable production among farmers in the Cordillera region. This initiative aims to enhance crop diversification and refine post-harvest facilities, ultimately aiming to solidify the income stability of local farmers.

As part of this substantial aid package, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. disclosed that three farmer cooperatives and associations in the Mountain Province were the recipients of P417,000 worth of essential farm machinery.

These funds originate from the DA’s Philippine Rural Development Project Scale-up, a substantial investment project that has already channeled P2.73 billion into 104 fully realized infrastructure and enterprise subprojects across the six provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Secretary Laurel further unveiled plans for the completion of three infrastructure subprojects, valuated at P454 million, and an enterprise subproject worth P13.9 million within the current year.

The DA’s commitment to enterprise development in the region is evident from the 59 completed subprojects valued at P170 million, benefiting a network of 74 proponent groups and farmer cooperatives. Secretary Laurel emphasized that this support aims to foster sustainable growth by enhancing production, processing, marketing, and distribution chains for high-value crops.

In a significant move to prolong the shelf life of highland vegetables, the DA is set to construct cold storage facilities in strategic locations such as Benguet, La Union, Taguig City, Mindoro, and Sariaya, Quezon.

Moreover, the DA plans to collaborate with local government units in the Cordillera region to promote crop diversification, which is anticipated to stabilize farm income, expand crop variety, and encourage the adoption of best farming practices.

Secretary Laurel highlighted the potential of leveraging the region’s abundant harvests through distribution and sales in Kadiwa centers, thereby enhancing market access for local farmers.

This comprehensive initiative by the DA marks a significant stride towards fortifying the agricultural backbone of the Cordillera region, ensuring growth, sustainability, and prosperity for its farming communities.