MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Tuesday it aims to build modern and stronger agricultural infrastructure through private sector participation to achieve sustainable food security and boost farmers’ income.
On Monday, the DA signed a landmark agreement with the publicly listed Megawide Construction Corp. to develop an integrated agricultural infrastructure project.
In a statement, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the partnership not only seeks to reduce post-harvest losses but also advance the government’s food security targets.
“This memorandum of understanding (MOU) is a realization of the vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for a modern and sustainable farm sector for the country’s food security and farmers’ prosperity,” he said.
Under the MOU, Megawide will support the rollout of agro-solar farming systems that integrate crop production with renewable energy generation.
The partnership also covers the construction of food-processing facilities and the establishment of food terminals designed to improve logistics, storage, and distribution efficiency across agricultural value chains.
The DA said the infrastructure package is expected to cut post-harvest losses by 30 percent to 50 percent, a persistent challenge that has reduced farmer incomes and limited competitiveness in both domestic and export markets.
The project also promotes clustered farming enterprises, enabling smallholders to pool resources, access modern technology, and transition from subsistence farming to commercial-scale agribusiness operations.
The shift is intended to strengthen rural economies and attract private sector investment into agriculture.
The initiative is part of a wider strategy to reposition farmers as agri-entrepreneurs and integrate agriculture with energy, logistics, and industrial systems.
It also supports efforts to develop branded, high-value agricultural products for broader market access. (PNA)