MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is planning to establish food hubs across the country for seamless access for suppliers and buyers of agricultural produce.
"We lack food terminals in the country, places where buyers and sellers could transact on a wholesale level. This food hub will be part of the DA’s logistics roadmap,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement on Thursday.
Laurel said that once finalized, the food hubs would perform the combined function of traditional food terminals and Kadiwa stores accessibility where farmers and cooperatives could directly sell their produce.
"While the management of these food hubs will fall under the purview of Food Terminals Inc. (FTI), a Kadiwa component will be integrated into their operations," he said.
Laurel added that the goal was to help farmers increase their income and provide consumers with access to affordable agricultural products.
He said the DA was eyeing to utilize a one-hectare area at the Marikina City's BFCT Bagsakan Center as its first location.
The DA is currently conducting negotiations to secure either a joint venture or a long-term lease of the said area.
Laurel said development may take at least a year to complete required facilities like cold storage and dry warehouses. (PNA)
