SOUTHERN Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) operations manager Cristy B. Dagala said the creation of more farmhouse facilities can help aid Mindanawon farmers increase more income.
“Malaki na ang potential ng Mindanao in terms of agriculture. Ang ating farmlands ay rich in terms of production. Kilala rin tayo as exporters kagaya ng banana (Mindanao has a rich potential in terms of agriculture.
Our farmlands are rich in terms of production. We are also known as exporters of banana),” Dagala said in a recent interview at SPDA office, Davao City.
Philippine Statistics Authority( PSA) records show for the period July to September 2018, banana production reached 2.43 million metric tons, an increase of 2.0 percent from the 2.38 million metric tons production in the same period of 2017. Davao Region remains the top banana producer in the country.
“Kaya kami sa SPDA, as a development authority, we make sure na nakikita namin ang potential ng isang lugar para matulungan ang probinsiya na mas umangat in terms of agriculture (That’s why we at SPDA, as a development authority, makes sure we see the potential of the province in order to help them improve in terms of agriculture),” Dagala said.
At present, Dagala said the development authority is conducting series of feasibility studies suggesting increase in farmhouse facilities like storage is priority for farmers to have.
“Kailangan ng mga magsasaka natin ng more warehouses pa in order to store their harvests para in times of heavy rain rin (Our farmers need more warehouses in order to store their harvests in times of heavy rain),” Dagala said, adding SPDA continues to also urge the creation of more agro-economic zone in order to entice future investments on agricultural facilities.
Dagala said with the agro-ecozones, farmers will not only focus on planting and yielding agricultural produce. With the entry of business locators, agricultural production and manufacturing can already help increase profit not only for farmers but also for other people living in the economic zone.
At present, SPDA is eyeing in developing Amai Manabilang (formerly Bumbaran), Lanao del Sur into an agro-economic zone to increase agricultural productivity especially for the province.
Dagala added with the economic zones established in Mindanao, constructing the needed storage facilities for farmers will be easier since business locators can now invest in these ecozones.
Dagala said SPDA continues to conduct more feasibility study in order to specifically locate more economic zones. (GAD)