April 6, 2009
PhilMaize to build corn post harvest facility in Luzon
The Philippine Maize Federation, Inc. (PhilMaize) is establishing a corn post harvest facility in Isabela Island, Luzon, at a cost of PHP250 million (US$5.2 million).
PhilMaize president Roger Navarro said the project is based on the critical task of improving the grain sector as national interest of the government in its food security program by achieving self sufficiency in corn.
The project aims to improve the agricultural efficiency of farming, increase income of the farmers, develop food security and promote social justice.
Navarro said that the project is mainly a mechanical drying and bulk handling system that can accommodate 12,000 hectares and process 120,000 tonnes of corn.
He added that the grain sector is still very inefficient because of the inadequacy of post harvest facilities in the region.
He said the thirty-hectare Reina Mercedes Post-Harvest Facility, a multi-layer post harvest complex, is larger than the Mindanao Grains Post-Harvest Facility in Bukidnon, and it can accommodate a big portion of corn yield in Cagayan Valley in terms of processing capability and storage.
Meanwhile, Vice Governor Ramon Reyes said the on-going construction of the Reina Mercedes Post Harvest Facility which is strategically located at the heart of the province will be beneficial to corn farmers of the province and in the entire Region 2.
Reyes added that corn products can be sold to this facility and the raw corn will be processed into finished products.
He cited that the island''s production rose up to 1.5 million tonnes last year, more than 105,000 tonnes in 2007.