Saturday, February 23, 2008 DA to install 50 corn post-harvest facilities
KORONADAL CITY -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) targets installation of 50 corn post-harvest facilities across the country amounting to P1.5 billion this year in consideration of bad weather conditions in the coming months, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap announced here last week.
"We have been informed by the Pagasa [Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration] that at least 16 tropical cyclones are expected to enter the country until the end of the year," Yap said.
Owing to the weather forecast, he noted that putting up modern corn post-harvest facilities remain a top priority of the agriculture department.
The post-harvest facilities aim to minimize wastage and improve the income of farmers through the production of quality seeds free from aflatoxin.
Corn with very high aflatoxin levels, when eaten by animals or humans, could result in biological disorders or even death, a study earlier made by the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension said.
Aflatoxin is caused by the buildup of molds in corn due to improper or poor post-harvest facilities.
Of the 50 corn post-harvest facilities target construction for 2008, Yap said the agency hopes to put up 15 more in the Zamboanga peninsula and in the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, and other corn production areas in the country.
Each modern corn drying facility costs at least P30 million, the secretary said.
The latest corn post-harvest facility that was inaugurated is located in Sergio Osmena in Zamboanga del Norte.
According to Yap, they are continuously building corn post-harvest facilities not only because of the predicted entry of typhoons, but also because of tight supply in the global market.
Corn, he added, has become a source of raw material in the production of biofuel.
Yap said by putting up more corn post-harvest facilities, the practice of drying shelled corn seeds in highways will be eliminated.
The first corn post-harvest facility of the government in the country was constructed in Kabacan, North Cotabato in August 2006.
There are two other government corn post-harvest facilities in Central Mindanao region located in the towns of Banga in South Cotabato and Malungon in Sarangani.
Zaldy Boloron, DA-Central Mindanao Ginintuang Masaganang Ani corn program coordinator, said corn farmers incur heavy losses due to poor post-harvest facilities.
"Corn easily rots without appropriate post-harvest facilities. The government has recognized this problem and is keen on improving the situation to improve the plight of corn farmers," he said.
Boloron believed that producing food grade products from corn would greatly benefit the corn farmers and the whole Central Mindanao region, since it would provide added value for the product resulting to increase income and possibly pave the way in releasing the concerned farmers from the bondage of poverty.
Central Mindanao, one of the major producers of corn in the country, produced last year an estimated volume of 1.123 million metric tons.
