Marginal farmers in Central Luzon will soon have a place where they can learn how to turn the task of growing food into businesses, find markets for their products and gain access to facilities and financing.
The Agribusiness Incubation (ABI) Center, which will rise at the DA-Research Outreach Station for Lahar-Laden Areas Development in Barangay Rabanes in nearby San Marcelino town, is expected to provide farmers with shared office and processing facilities, training, mentoring and links to potential buyers and funding sources.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) broke ground for the center on Thursday, Oct. 1.
The facility is part of the project ‘Development of a Community-Based Agribusiness to Improve the Livelihood and Income of Marginal Farmers in Central Luzon,’ which will run from 2025 to 2029 with a $6-million (about P377 million) grant from the South Korean government.
Instead of focusing only on production, the project aims to help farmers develop enterprises around their products, improve their competitiveness and build more sustainable sources of income in their communities.
The center will also provide a venue for farmers to learn from South Korea’s experience in agricultural development and agribusiness incubation, with relevant approaches to be adapted to the needs and conditions of farming communities in Central Luzon.
KOICA Country Director Jung Youngsun said the partnership seeks to help Filipino farmers develop sustainable businesses, increase their incomes and strengthen their communities.
‘Through our partnership with the Philippines, the government of the Republic of Korea, through KOICA, hopes to contribute to a more productive and competitive agricultural sector by empowering Filipino farmers to develop sustainable agribusinesses, increase their incomes, and build stronger rural communities,’ Jung said.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by KOICA officials, including Jung, Assistant Country Director Pyun Eunhye, Project Coordinator Yim Soungbin and Program Officer Kim Gabin.
Representing the DA were Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs Atty. Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra; Regional Executive Director Eduardo Lapuz Jr.; Regional Technical Director for Operations, Extension, and Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division Arthur Dayrit; and Regional Technical Director for Research, Regulations, and Integrated Laboratory Division Elma Mananes.
Also present were project leader Josephine Muñoz and DA-Research Outreach Station for Lahar-Laden Areas Development Station Chief Matthew Mark Capillo and San Marcelino Mayor Elvis Soria