The newly inaugurated grains terminal and trading station in Batangas City, which will serve as a primary hub for yellow corn, is expected to lower the prices of poultry and livestock products in Southern Luzon, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In a statement, the DA said this new facility will consolidate the supply of corn, the commodity used predominantly in the production of animal feeds.

In turn, this reduces the cost of feeds crucial to sustain livestock and poultry production.

With its potential to scale up corn production on a national level, the grains terminal is poised to alleviate input costs. This would remove a significant concern bearing down on farmers and raisers.

Notably, the DA estimates that nearly 600 yellow corn farmers, hog raisers, and poultry farmers will directly benefit from the facility.

“This new grains terminal and trading hub will not only put more money in our farmers’ pockets but will lower the cost of producing poultry and hogs, helping ensure a stable supply and affordable food prices for many Filipino consumers,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel.

Laurel said this marks an important step toward the DA’s commitment to improve food security and agricultural sustainability in the country.

The ₱278.3-million grains terminal and trading station was inaugurated on Thursday, March 13, attended by Laurel himself and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

It was funded by a loan from the World Bank, with counterpart funding from the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) and the Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative (SIDC).

The DA chief said the facility is proof to the significance of public-private partnerships in driving growth within the agricultural sector.

“This project, backed by the World Bank and initiated by SIDC, is a testament to what we can achieve for our farmers and fishers when we collaborate and cooperate,” Laurel said.

The facility has two silos with a total capacity of 12,000 metric tons (MT) of corn and is expected to produce around 480,000 sacks of animal feeds. It complements the existing feed mill inaugurated by SIDC in 2021.

According to the DA, this will further strengthen the role of Batangas in the country’s agricultural economy.