KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya: A farm-to-market (FMR) road project worth P205 million here is expected to boost the citrus industry in this province.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the FMR road project, particularly in Malabing Valley in this upland town, was funded under the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP).
To provide easy transport access for citrus and other agricultural products and inputs in this municipality, Dar said the 12.07-kilometer FMR road project will benefit upland farmers in the more than 1,850 hectares of farmlands.
“With an ongoing move to rejuvenate the citrus industry in Nueva Vizcaya, the FMR project will surely boost the production, transport and marketing of citrus products in this town,” Dar said.
The DA-Regional Field Office 2 led by Executive Director Narciso Edillo said the implementation of the balanced fertilization and pesticide use strategy (BFPUS) is expected to rejuvenate the citrus industry in this upland town.
Dar said the road project is being implemented since the farmers need support by providing quality infrastructure facilities for the citrus industry.
“This will be a big boost because we will expand the high-value crops industry that includes citrus,” he added.
Dar said the project will also reduce travel time, especially during the wet season, where transport has always been a challenge with muddy roads in the upland areas.
Meanwhile, Mayor Romeo Tayaban said the DA’s continuous help will inspire upland farmers in far-flung areas of the municipality to produce quality citrus products in compliance with the agency’s BFPUS.
“Our farmers will have more reasons to further engage in citrus farming because of the infrastructure support that will bring positive impact in this highland town,” he said.
Dar also vowed to support citrus farmers since the DA and the town of Kasibu have the same vision towards the farmers.
He also assured his continuing support to the Malabing Valley Multipurpose Cooperative in the form of road improvement and development and post-harvest facilities like cold storage, among others.
Kasibu town is one of the major sources of fruits and vegetables to Bambang town’s Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal, which supplies Metro Manila, Baguio City, and other neighboring provinces with agricultural products.
SOURCE: https://www.manilatimes.net/
