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Unlocking agriculture

The Department of Agriculture announced a P3 billion initiative to construct 99 cold storage facilities nationwide, aiming to extend the shelf life of fruits, vegetables, and high value crops, while ensuring price stability and food security. The facilities would feature sustainable, cost efficient designs powered by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, alongside electricity from the grid.

“This approach not only addresses immediate agricultural needs, but also aligns with broader environmental goals,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

The project is a cornerstone of the DA’s logistics master plan and aims to strengthen the agricultural supply chain by reducing post-harvest losses and improving the distribution of goods.

The plan includes cold storage facilities, road networks, agricultural seaports, and an integrated cold chain system.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the use of P1.5 billion in unprogrammed funds for 2024 to initiate the project, while another P1.5 billion is allocated in the 2025 General Appropriations Act.

According to the DA, each large facility is designed to store 2,800 to 3,500 pallet positions and will take 18 to 22 months to complete. Operations will be managed by the DA in coordination with local government units and farmers’ cooperatives.

Modular units, akin to 40-foot container vans with a 7 to 15 metric ton capacity, will be operational within 3 months, offering a quicker solution for immediate storage needs nationwide.

The DA noted that the investment in cold chain infrastructure aims to stabilize supply and prices, and enhance returns for farmers and fisherfolk, which will benefit both producers and consumers with a sustainable agricultural economy.

The Philippines is a tropical archipelago whose fertile islands and abundant waters should provide the potential of its agriculture sector. However, much of that potential has been wasted for decades, due to the lack of support from critical infrastructure such as cold storage facilities that are necessary to improve efficiency and cut down on unnecessary wastage. If the DA can provide these facilities and its stewards can operate them properly, we might be able to unlock a new age of agriculture in this country.*

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