March 18, 2025

Agriculture cooperative in Antique, Philippines receives US$260,000 in facilities and machinery

An agriculture cooperative in Antique province, Philippines, has received over PHP 14.9 million (US$260,000) worth of facilities and machinery from the country's Department of Agriculture (DA) to support corn farmers in Patnongon and nearby municipalities.

Sonie Guanco, head of the DA Agricultural Programme Coordinating Office in Antique, stated that the assistance was provided through a grant under the corn programme. The support included a warehouse facility and machinery such as a bagger sewer, digital weighing scale, corn combine harvester, and a hauling truck. These were handed over to the Kalipunan ng mga Magsasaka ng Patnongon (KAMAPAT) Agriculture Cooperative.

The initiative was made possible with the support of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Patnongon, which is the second-largest corn-producing area in the province, with approximately 2,500 hectares of farmland dedicated to corn cultivation.

As a corn consolidator, KAMAPAT purchases corn kernels from local farmers at a price higher than the prevailing market rate of PHP 11 (US$0.19) per kg. Guanco stated that the newly provided warehouse would also serve as a storage facility for corn farmers.

The warehouse is located in Barangay San Rafael, Patnongon, on a lot where KAMAPAT has been granted a 25-year usufruct agreement. In addition to the land provided for the facility, KAMAPAT is responsible for the maintenance of both the warehouse and the machinery.

With around 800 farmer-members, KAMAPAT will establish policies on storage fees and machinery use to enhance production and improve farmers' livelihoods.

- Philippine News Agency