The Department of Agriculture (DA) will establish more food hubs this year to help farmers and cooperatives sell directly to buyers and address logistics and market access concerns.
Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the agency’s P215-billion budget allowed the rollout of new food terminals nationwide, including a major P2-billion food hub in Clark, Pampanga to serve Northern Luzon, expected to be operational by early next year.
The DA will also allocate P500 million each for food hubs in Pili, Camarines Sur, and Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, both to be linked with cold storage and grain facilities.
“Doon na ang puntahan… parang one-stop-shop,” said Tiu Laurel.
He also noted that the hubs will bring together buyers, storage, and farm inputs to reduce losses and improve farmers’ earnings.IMT
