October 8, 2014
Philippines to build modern feed plant for upland farmers
The Philippineswill build a PHP12.5 million (US$290,700) corn feedcentre in upland Mt. Province, the provincial governor announced.
Governor Leonard G. Mayaen said the centre comprises a corn feed mill, a corn dryer, an administrative building, a storage facility, a retail store for agricultural products and supplies, a multi-purpose open gymnasium, a parking lot, a nursery and a watershed.
Mayaen said the centre would protect corn planters from the adverse effects of weather and unfair trade practices.
He added that corn farmers from the province''s Paracelis town, where the centre will be built, need not travel to faraway mills once the project becomes operational. He did not say when the feed centre will open.
"Corn production in Paracelis happens only once a year and the whole process is financially controlled by capitalists from planting, harvesting to milling," Mayaen said.
He said an average corn planter earns PHP2,000 ($47) from a one-hectare farm every cropping season after production costs have been deducted.
The governor said the facility would ensure higher quality of produce to command a better price in the market.
The centre''s dryer is designed to maintain 14% moisture content in corn and control aflatoxin, which causes mold, the governor said.