Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 21) — The Department of Agriculture said Tuesday it plans to establish the country’s second “agri-industrial business corridor” in Taguig City.
The DA and the city government have signed memorandum of agreement for the Urban Agriculture Project (UAP) that will support crops, fisheries, and livestock.
The department said this agri-aqua industrial business corridor aims to boost productivity of farmers and the national economy by utilizing the potential of the Laguna Lake.
“With all the existing facilities now by the Laguna Lake, I see a bigger potential for Taguig,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said in a statement.
He added that the city could be a gateway to the capital with Laguna Lake as a major ecosystem, but this needs to be rehabilitated and developed to support aquaculture.
The official also said farmers and fisherfolk from Rizal and Laguna could tap the city’s cold storage and other facilities to store their produce, and also market these to consumers.
The department and city officials also met for the Multi-Agency Agricultural Government Assistance Program (MAAGAP) Para sa Kinabukasan ng Taguig. Dar said this is the first phase for a bigger picture envisioned for the business corridor.
“Specifically, the UAP and MAAGAP for Taguig aim at enhancing urban food security and nutrition, providing an additional source of income through processing and improving efficiencies in the food value chain, addressing social integration of vulnerable communities, and contributing to urban ecological management,” the department explained.
The DA earlier said that the first agri-industrial business corridor will be established at New Clark City in Tarlac. It partnered with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority to build the facility in a 30-hectare site in the economic zone.
