The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to embark on a P3-billion cold storage program across the country to help farmers manage the supply and distribution of crops, particularly vegetables by extending their shelf life.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel revealed plans to build around 99 cold storage facilities using hybrid technology, a combination of both renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, and electricity from the grid, ensuring environmentally friendly and efficient operations.
“This initiative not only meets immediate agricultural needs but also aligns with broader environmental goals,” he said, adding that many of the smaller cold storage facilities will come on stream within the year.
By improving cold chain infrastructure, the agricultural sector will be strengthened, farm losses reduced, the shelf life of agricultural products extended, and supply and prices stabilized, all contributing to enhanced food security, he said.
Tiu Laurel said the project is part of a broader logistics master plan developed by the DA through the Agriculture and Fisheries Logistics Office (AFLO).
The plan not only covers cold storage but also includes the development of a strong road network, agricultural seaports, and an integrated cold chain system to streamline agricultural product distribution across the country.
Tiu Laurel also noted that the use of P1.5 billion in unprogrammed funds for 2024 to jumpstart the cold storage network was approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with an additional P1.5 billion allocated under the 2025 General Appropriations Act.
“The unprogrammed funds will be used to build around 65 small or modular chiller-type cold storage facilities nationwide, along with a large facility in Camarines Sur,” Tiu Laurel said.
Two large facilities are also planned for San Jose, Occidental Mindoro and Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, along with 31 modular units across the country.
The program is expected to boost the nation’s capacity to preserve perishable goods, benefiting both farmers and consumers.
The DA said it would manage the facilities in partnership with local government units (LGUs), farmers’ cooperatives and other stakeholders to ensure smooth operations and community involvement.