DA inks deals with Megawide for agri-infra projects

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday announced it signed an agreement with Megawide Construction Corp. to modernize the country’s agriculture sector through infrastructure projects.

The Agriculture Department and Megawide will develop integrated agricultural infrastructure projects such as agro-solar farming systems that integrate crop production with renewable energy generation, food-processing facilities, and food terminals designed to improve logistics, storage, and distribution efficiency across agricultural value chains.

The agri-infrastructure initiatives are aimed at boosting farmers’ incomes, reducing post-harvest losses, and strengthening the country’s long-term food security, the DA said in a statement.

The agency said its memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Megawide aligns with Republic Act No. 7900 or the High-Value Crops Development Act and “forms part of the government’s broader push to modernize the high-value crops sector through infrastructure-led and market-driven interventions, farm to wholesale food markets and, protected farming under agro-solar environments.”

“This MOU is a realization of the vision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a modern and sustainable farm sector for the country’s food security and farmers prosperity,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. 

The DA said the infrastructure partnership with Megawide is expected to cut post-harvest losses by 30% to 50% —persistent challenge that has reduced farmer incomes and limited competitiveness in both domestic and export markets.

The Agriculture Department added that the modernization initiatives also include the promotion of clustered farming enterprises, enabling smallholders to pool resources, access modern technology, and transition from subsistence farming to commercial-scale agribusiness operations which will be intended to strengthen rural economies and attract private sector investment into agriculture.

MOA with NAPOCOR

The DA added it also inked a separate MOU initiative with the National Power Corp. and Asian Pyrochem Technologies Inc. for Project SAFE or Sustainable Agroforestry Farming Enterprise, which will be implemented in watershed areas.

Project SAFE promotes agroforestry production of crops such as cacao, coffee, bamboo, and abaca while integrating carbon financing mechanisms and nature-based solutions. 

It also introduces innovative business-to-business barter systems aimed at improving farmers’ access to inputs and markets, according to the DA.

The agency said both agreements underscore a coordinated effort to build a more resilient, climate-smart, and market-oriented agriculture sector. 

It added that stronger infrastructure and private sector participation are essential to achieving sustainable food security and improving rural livelihoods nationwide. —AOL, GMA News