Capitol to focus on corn production

CEBU, Philippines — In the transition to enhanced community development (ECD), the province is eyeing at focusing on corn production.

Sugbo News, the official news outlet of the Capitol Public Information Office, reported that Governor Gwendolyn Garcia had met with the province’s feed millers and members of the Central Visayas Pork Producers Cooperative (CViPPCo) and agreed that the province will serve as a middle man between the farmers and corn feed millers.

Corn is the main ingredient for hog feed. The province has established safety protocols on the importation of corn from other areas of the country along with its ban on pork imports from areas infected with the African Swine Fever.

This is because while the province’s millers, at present, could produce enough feed for Cebu’s P11B hog industry, there is not enough supply of corn to augment production.

With the province serving as a middle man, farmers will be ensured to receive the real price for the value of their produce, Garcia said. This will also allow feed millers access to raw ingredients without having to import from other parts of the country.

"So, this way, from farm to market, the road is smooth. Dili farm to pocket," Garcia said.

Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Roldan Saragena identified Bantayan and Camotes Island as prime locations for the cultivation of corn.

The Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, and the Philippine Veterans Bank have also reportedly agreed to issue a common fund for the farmers to borrow as capital.

Garcia is set to meet again with the feed millers in order to discuss and finalize the quantity of production, and the price of corn.

Capitol had earlier announced that the provincial government plans to jumpstart the province’s program on self-sufficiency in food production. Garcia said this was among the lessons learned amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The ECD would then endeavor to encourage investors and businessmen in the province to shift their focus from real estate construction to the development of the province’s agriculture industry. GAN (FREEMAN)