The Department of Agriculture will pour more investments to agriculture as part of the national government’s support to local farmers and fishermen.

During a visit to the Sentrong Pamilihan ng mga Produktong Agrikultural in Sariaya, Quezon, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. stressed the importance of extending support to farmers from production to marketing and enhancing the capabilities of the country’s trading posts.

The agri chief said farming will be more sustainable if there are enough facilities that allow farmers to directly market their produce.

The Sentrong Pamilihan, established in 2007, has served as the main trading area for vegetables and other agricultural products, not only in Sariaya but nearby production sites as well.

Local farmers acknowledged the improvement in their incomes since the opening of the trading post — a market place where they sell their harvest.

The trading center has motivated Quezon farmers to expand production areas, contributing to the food security agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.  Sariaya farmers said.

According to Sec. Tiu Laurel, the DA is preparing a national logistics plan that will connect vegetable farms and other food growing areas to food hubs like the Food Terminal, Inc. in Taguig City.

“We will link vegetable farmers with the Taguig mega cold storage and continue to provide support and assistance in terms of transport so they can sell their produce at the right  price,” Sec. Tiu Laurel said. ### (Adora D. Rodriguez, DA-AFID)