June 4, 2024

 

US$20.6 million feed mill to set up in Isabela, Philippines

 

A ₱1.2 billion (US$20.6 million) feed mill complex to be constructed by a private company will significantly benefit the corn industry of Ilagan, Isabela, the Philippines.

 

Located in Barangay Cabannungan 2nd in Ilagan, the upcoming feed mill of Thailand-based Charoen Pokphand Foods, Kasetphand Group and Sagittarian Agri Philippines Inc. will utilise corn grown by farmers in Ilagan as raw material.

 

Rose Mary Aquino, executive director of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office 2, said the facility will also enhance the integration of the corn and livestock industries of Isabela and Cagayan Valley (Region 2).

 

"This is a very good move by our city officials headed by Mayor Josemarie Diaz that will enhance the corn-livestock integration and ensure the higher economic status of the people of Ilagan, especially our corn farmers," she said.

 

On May 17, Aquino attended the groundbreaking of the feed mill complex that was attended by Isabela Gov. Rodolfo Albano III and other regional and provincial officials who also gave their full support to the initiative.

 

"In addition to the assured market of corn, the complex will also benefit not only our livestock but our poultry raisers and shall strengthen the public-private partnership that the present administration is pushing," Aquino said.

 

She added that Ilagan has started providing interventions to establish a value chain for corn that is aligned with the priority activities of the DA in achieving food security.

 

"The city of Ilagan may also become the agri processing center of Cagayan Valley," Aquino said.

 

She gave assurance that the DA will continue to support farmers in producing good quality corn that is good agricultural practices or GAP-certified and aflatoxin-free, which will result in the production of high quality and safe feeds.

 

For her part, Diaz said Ilagan is undertaking various activities such as silage production, and swine, cattle and dairy production, as the city gears up for increased corn and livestock production.

 

"These are needed in making the corn industry very much alive in our city," the mayor said.

- The Manila Times