MANILA, Philippines – BINUKSAN na ng Department of Agriculture (DA) nito lamang Nobyembre 7 ang automated greenhouse facility sa Kalibo, Aklan, naglalayong palakasin ang productivity ng high-value crops.
Ang Value Chain Enhancement of High-Value Crops through Smart Agriculture (VEHCSA) facility, matatagpuan sa Aklan Agri-Aqua Demonstration Farm and Training Center, ay suportado ng South Korean government sa pamamagitan ng Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
“Technology partnerships such as this with KOICA can help our farmers produce more with greater efficiency, improve the quality and consistency of their harvests, and ultimately earn more from their hard work,” ayon kay DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
“The facility features a climate-controlled environment designed to support year-round crop production despite changing weather conditions,” ang winika pa ng Kalihim.
“That means a more dependable supply of food, better income opportunities for farmers, and a stronger foundation for food security,” aniya pa rin.
Ang iba pang smart greenhouse facilities ay itinayo sa Tigbauan, Iloilo; Patnongon, Antique; at Bago City, Negros Occidental.
Kapuwa naman ginalugad ng DA at KOICA ang partnerships kasama ang agribusiness enterprises para tiyakin na long-term viability ng mga pasilidad at makalikha ng sapat na kita para i-cover ang operating costs.
“The DA and KOICA are therefore looking to connect the facilities with viable agribusiness enterprises and institutional and private-sector markets, rather than leave them as demonstration sites with impressive equipment but limited commercial reach,” ang sinabi ng departamento. KRIS JOSE
