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PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the inauguration of a P278.3-million grains terminal and trading station in Batangas City on Thursday.
The establishment of a grains terminal is aimed at consolidating corn supply to lower the cost of animal feeds and consequently bring down the prices of poultry and livestock in the Southern Tagalog Region.
The project was financed through a loan from the World Bank, with counterpart funding from the Department of Agriculture's Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP). It also included P178.3 million worth of cash and in-kind contribution from the Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative (SIDC).
SIDC is one of the largest agriculture-based cooperatives in the Philippines. It was founded in 1969, and have been working on improving market access, enhancing production quality, and ensuring sustainable livelihood for its members for over 55 years.
The newly inaugurated grain terminal project will enhance SIDC's existing feed mill by incorporating a silo operation with a capacity of 12,000 metric tons (MT).
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In 2021, the SIDC also invested in a state-of-the-art rice mill with a processing capacity of five tons per hour. With an enhanced feed mill and a state-of-the-art rice mill, SIDC is expected to strengthen its role in the agricultural supply chain.
The new grains terminal will serve as a major hub for yellow corn, which is mostly used to make animal feed. It is expected to ease rising input costs by increasing the nation's corn production, which will help corn producers as well as hog and poultry farmers.
The DA said the project will benefit 567 corn producers, hog raisers, and poultry farmers.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. lauded the people behind the collaborative efforts that brought the project into fruition. He added that the grains terminal has the potential to create significant change to the agriculture sector, especially to rural communities.
"This project, backed by the World Bank and initiated by SIDC, is a testament to what we can achieve for our farmers and fishers when we collaborate and cooperate. This new grains terminal and trading hub will not only put more money in our farmers' pockets but will lower the cost of producing poultry and hogs, helping ensure a stable supply and affordable food prices for many Filipino consumers," he said.
The facility is expected to satisfy the increasing demand for yellow corn in the manufacturing of animal feed, according to SIDC. Its ability to streamline corn distribution will be extremely beneficial to Batangas province, a major producer of pigs, poultry, and eggs, further solidifying its position in the country's agricultural sector.
The DA said the project demonstrates the value of public-private partnerships in promoting growth in the agricultural sector and marks a major step toward enhancing food security and agricultural sustainability in the country.
