Megawide signs up to develop farm infrastructure

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Megawide Construction Corp. to develop agricultural infrastructure that will improve farm productivity and supply-chain efficiency.

In a statement, the DA said the agreement, signed on Monday, covers agro-solar farming systems, food-processing facilities, and food terminal projects intended to enhance storage, logistics, and distribution.

The DA said the MoU supports the objectives of Republic Act No. 7900 to modernize the high-value crops sector.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said:

“This MoU is a realization of the vision of (the President) for a modern and sustainable farm sector for food security and farmer prosperity,” he said in the statement.

The DA said the infrastructure package is expected to reduce post-harvest losses by 30% to 50%. It also includes support for clustered farming enterprises, allowing smallholders to pool resources and transition to commercial-scale operations.

“The initiative is part of a wider strategy to reposition farmers as agri-entrepreneurs and integrate agriculture with energy, logistics, and industrial systems. It also supports efforts to develop branded, high-value agricultural products for broader market access,” the DA said.

Separately, the DA said it also entered into an MoU with the National Power Corp. and Asian Pyrochem Technologies for the Sustainable Agroforestry Farming Enterprise (SAFE) project.

SAFE will be implemented in watershed areas and promote agroforestry crops, such as cacao, coffee, bamboo, and abaca.

The DA said the nature-based solutions project also integrates carbon financing mechanisms and introduces innovative business-to-business barter systems to improve farmers’ access to inputs and markets. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel