FARMERS in Davao City can now ensure that their agricultural products are directly sold to consumers without the intervention of middlemen with the opening of the Davao Food Terminal Complex (DFTC) in Toril District Tuesday, May 28.

The P1.086 billion food complex is located within a 20-hectare property and will have food processing centers, cold storage/warehousing facilities, trading post, technology/ business incubation center, tourism component, agri-aqua culture, and water filtration and bottling facilities.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said this will also benefit the farmers and consumers of the neighboring areas as well.

"It is my hope that this will be just one of the many agricultural initiatives that will elevate our local agricultural industry even further and will empower our agricultural players, especially our local farmers to be at par with our global counterparts," Duterte-Carpio said in her message during the grand opening.

She added that the DFTC is a proof that the goal in defeating hunger and addressing food security while helping the farmers is achievable amid changing climate and increasing food demand across the globe.

Duterte-Carpio acknowledged the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Trade and Industry-National Development Company (DTI-NDC), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the farmers group in Davao City.

The DA allocated P70 million for the project in a bid to improve the farmer-consumer trading market in the city.

Businessman John Carlo Tria told SunStar Davao in a separate interview Tuesday, May 28, that the project will improve food safety and quality of food handling.

He said this will allow producers better flexibility and price for their goods.

Earlier this year, the Davao City Council approved the rates and charges of DFTC.

The specified space rental fee will be P12 for every one square meter a day.