Corn congress kicks off today at Waterfront

AROUND 1,000 participants from all over the country are expected to join the three-day 8th Philippine National Corn Congress (PNCC) at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao starting today, Wednesday, until Friday, an official from Agriculture department said on Tuesday.

In an interview, Department of Agriculture (DA) regional director Constancio Maghanoy Jr. said several discussions will be brought out in the congress such as the trends and issues involving corn industry in the country, including the trends and insights of the international markets.

Some international participants from United States of America (USA) and South Korea are invited to give lecture on the current condition of corn when it comes to international market.

Maghanoy said South Korea is one possible international market of corn from the Philippines.

He said Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Senator Francis Pangilinan, chairman of the senate committee on agriculture, will attend the 8th PNCC as keynote speakers.

During the corn congress, the DA will also introduce new technology to Filipino corn farmers that can help them with the production of corn.

Maghanoy said strengthening the corn industry in the country is one major objective for holding such a congress, with corn being a good family staple in many regions of the country like in Visayas and Mindanao.

Part of the program is the turning over of 10 brand new tractors to corn farmers in Davao Region. Maghanoy said three tractors will be given to Davao City. Digos City in Davao del Sur, Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos), New Corella in Davao del Norte, Manay municipality and Caraga municipality in Davao Oriental will receive one each.

The Provincial Government of Davao Oriental will also turn over at least two tractors to their farmers during the corn congress while Mati City will receive a village type corn post-harvest facility.

Maghanoy said a tractor costs about P2.4 million each while post-harvest facility at P3 million. The 8th PNCC is a joint program of DA and private group Philippine Maize Federation Group Inc.

"For these tractors, fifty percent of the equity came from DA while fifty percent is from the local government," he said.

Some of these tractors will be managed by the cooperatives of the corn farmers while some will be under the local government's control.

Maghanoy added that more than 16 exhibitors will set up booth there, showcasing the local products of the region. Machineries and equipment display for corn farming will also take place in the event.