Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Monday led the launch of two major farm-to-market projects in Oriental Mindoro to increase farmer incomes and reduce post-harvest losses in the food-producing province.
The P33.5-million Oriental Mindoro Trading and Consolidation Facility (OMTCF), funded under the Philippine Rural Development Project, serves as a centralized hub for the consolidation, trading and distribution of local produce. The initiative aims to solve fragmented logistics that often force farmers to sell harvests at low prices.
Tiu Laurel said raising farmer incomes is achieved by ensuring harvests reach the market at the right price rather than simply increasing planting volume. He said higher earnings for farmers stimulate rural economies, making food more affordable and strengthening national food security.
The 966.75-square-meter facility features 18 trading stalls, storage areas and zones for washing, sorting, weighing and packing. It includes dedicated loading bays to move produce efficiently while minimizing spoilage for both independent farmers and cooperatives.
