THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has opened P97 million worth of cold storage facilities and a slaughterhouse in Camarines Sur, Bicol Region to help support farmer needs.
In a statement on Tuesday, the DA said that the renewable energy-powered cold storage facilities were worth a total of P45.5 million; while the slaughterhouse was estimated at P51.5 million.
The new post-harvest infrastructures and interventions will benefit over 10,762 farmers, fisherfolk, and other food producers across 10 towns in Camarines Sur.
The department also distributed P79.6 million worth of interventions such as 4WD tractor, combine harvester, seeds, garden tools, boats, and fishing gears.
The project specifies a structural wind-load target of 350 kilometers per hour (kph). Its wind turbine is rated for wind speeds of up to 315 kph.
The DA also noted that the slaughterhouse will support 1,303 livestock raisers across 29 barangays. A World Bank loan covered P41.2 million of its total cost.
“By reducing post-harvest losses, improving meat-handling services and connecting local producers to better markets, we can help them earn more from their hard work,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. was quoted as saying.
He added that the facilities could also support processing, storage, transport, and related services.
DA said the project supports the Philippine Food Chain Logistics Master Plan 2023-2033, which aims to better link production areas and consumer markets. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz