The Department of Agriculture (DA) has partnered with two private companies to develop its food market and terminal plans aimed at increasing the income of farmers and fishers and maintain the freshness of their products.
DA Sec. William Dar the partnership aims to develop the department’s Food Markets and Terminal plans to provide technical assistance, advice, policy and regulatory framework development, and market and feasibility studies to ensure the program’s sustainability.
He added that the markets and terminals would allow buyers and sellers of farm products to interact and facilitate wholesale exchange.
“The partnership is in line with the DA’s effort to pursue various solutions in organizing and establishing receiving and processing facilities for the produce of farmers and fisherfolk, which will then be sold directly to consumers or vendors’ associations,” said Dar during the signing of the agreement with KMV Asia Development Corporation and the Banyara Development Corporation (BDC) Chief Executive Officer and Legal Representative Kaydee Marie Velasco on Feb. 21.
“This will help maintain the freshness and quality of farm and fishery products, reduce postharvest losses, and increase the income of farmers and fisherfolk,” he said.