September 6, 2010

Philippine corn group seeks to double budget

To improve the post-harvest infrastructure for corn, an industry group wants government to double the 2011 budget of the Agriculture Corn Program to PHP1.2 billion (US$27 million).

"There is a great need to improve our post-harvest facilities if we are to improve productivity and the recovery of corn," said Philippine Maize Federation president Roger Navarro. Corn is considered as a rice substitute.

Navarro said that 30-35% of corn production is lost due to poor post-harvest facilities.

The group will recommend the budget hike together with other resolutions during the three-day National Corn Congress in Isabela next month.

The congress coincides with the inauguration of the Reina Mercedes Corn Processing Center, the biggest corn post-harvest facility in Southeast Asia.

Among the resolutions that will be presented at the congress: the removal of fees and taxes by the National Food Authority, and local government units on farm machineries and making available special windows for loans in corn belts for post-harvest centres a low 6% interest.