The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it will enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to set-up the country’s first 30-hectare “agri-industrial business corridor” at the New Clark City next year.
Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said the New Clark City has the potential to kick-start and sustain economic growth in the “new normal” because of its “vast agricultural resources and strategic location that grants access to markets in both northern and southern Luzon, including Metro Manila.”
“The agro-industrial business corridor, or ABC, that will rise at the New Clark City will be a holistic approach, which aims to integrate smallholder farmers by providing them access to resources, including state-of-the-art production technology, capital, and value-adding facilities,” the DA chief said in a news statement.
Dar said the establishment of the ABC in strategic areas, such as that in New Clark City, shall help provide new jobs for Filipinos under the new normal, especially those laid-off due to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on businesses.
The identified 30-hectare area in New Clark City where the ABC shall rise would include modern agri-business and multipurpose facilities, including a national seed technology park, the DA said.
“The soon-to-rise ABC will complement the planned Clark Fresh Market to be constructed at the Clark Civil Aviation Complex,” it said.
“The market complex will have an integrated post-harvest facility, catering niche markets for organic produce, halal-certified and premium quality food products,” it added.
BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Vince Dizon said the establishment of the ABC would boost the development of Tarlac and adjoining provinces in Central and Northern Luzon, with at least the creation of thousands of new jobs.
“This agri-industrial business corridor will not only enhance the productivity of our farmers but will also boost economic activity in the region,” Dizon said.
The DA said the investment required for the ABC would be determined during the crafting of the MOA with BCDA for the project.
The DA added that it is eyeing to put-up ABCs in 12 new economic zones identified by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority to entice more and bigger investments in the agriculture sector.
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