DA, SMC food division eye milling facility in Sulu

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to partner with the food division of diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. to establish a milling facility to improve the poultry industry in Sulu.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said he met with San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang last week and discussed the creation of a medium-sized feed mill facility using the corn and cassava produced by Tausugs to engage the people of Sulu in the contract growing of poultry to be exported to Malaysia.

“The concept is that San Miguel will come in, they will establish a feed mill, buy all of the corn and cassava produced by farmers and they will produce feeds and they will start contract growing of chicken,” Piñol told reporters.

The province of Sulu cannot produce enough chicken for its people’s consumption and broiler chicken supply comes from as far as Davao City, General Santos City, and Cagayan de Oro.

Main products in Sulu only include cassava, seaweeds, copra, abaca, fruits, white corn and fish.

The facility will be halal certified as San Miguel wants to serve the Malaysian market particularly in Sabah, as well as in Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Zamboanga City.

“Sabah is just 12 hours away, across the seas. They are looking at exporting some of San Miguel’s chicken produce to nearby Sabah and the rest of the island,” he said.

The plan is also in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to the DA to assess what could be done to improve the conditions of the people who are troubled due to attacks of Islamist militant group Abu Sayyaf.

“We are willing to take the risks just so we could help President Duterte achieve peace and stability in the Southern Philippines, especially in the troubled island of Sulu,” Ang told Piñol.

Meanwhile, since majority of the area has no power supply, San Miguel will sponsor the establishment of a 20-megawatt diesel turbine power generator.

The DA and San Miguel will also build a fishball factory to create added value to the fish catch of Tausug and Badjao fisher folks.