Author: DA Press Office | 2 December 2024
New Greenhouse and Post-Harvest Facility in Quezon Signals Commitment to Modern Agriculture and Food Security
The Philippines is taking a significant step toward modernizing its agriculture sector andbattling the effects of climate change with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art greenhouse and post-harvest facility in Lucban, Quezon. This latest project, a collaborative effort between the Philippine government and South Korea, aims to equip local farmers with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing environment.
The Lucban facility is one of 20 similar projects funded by the Korean government, strategically placed in pilot villages across Quezon, Laguna, and Nueva Ecija. Speaking at the inauguration, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., hailed the project as the start of a new chapter for the country’s agricultural landscape.
“This project opens a new chapter in our agricultural sector — one rooted in partnership, driven by innovation, and aimed at achieving food security for our nation,” President Marcos declared.
Empowering Farmers, Securing Food Supplies
Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel of the Department of Agriculture (DA) echoed the President’s sentiments, expressing his gratitude to the Korea Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture (KOPIA).
“This greenhouse represents more than just infrastructure,” he said. “It symbolizes innovation, hope, and the power of collaboration. It reflects our shared vision of sustainable farming that adapts to the evolving needs of our agricultural sector.”
Protecting Farmers from Climate Change Impacts
“This initiative marks a significant step towards modernizing Philippine agriculture” Sec. Tiu Laurel added, emphasizing the government’s commitment to supporting small-scale farmers most affected by climate change.
“Our goal is not only to ensure food security but also to empower our farmers.”
During the inauguration, Secretary Laurel highlighted the significant impact of climate change on traditional farming practices, citing unpredictable weather patterns, disruptions to planting schedules triggered by El Niño, and the increasing prevalence of pests.
As a solution, he underscored the importance of adopting technology like greenhouse cultivation to ensure food security despite these environmental challenges.
The project’s focus on protective cultivation techniques, for example, allows farmers to grow crops year-round, a crucial strategy for maintaining stable food supplies in an increasingly unpredictable climate. Funded by KOPIA, these facilities introduce advanced farming practices and technologies to local farmers, equipping them with the knowledge and resources needed to adapt.
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What specific challenges does climate change pose to agriculture in the Philippines, and how does the Lucban facility address them?
## A New Leaf for Philippine Agriculture: Interview with [Guest Name]
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Joining us today is [Guest Name], an agricultural expert, to discuss the exciting developments in the Philippines’ agricultural sector. We’ve recently seen the inauguration of a new greenhouse and post-harvest facility in Lucban, Quezon, a project funded by the South Korean government. [Guest Name], what are your thoughts on this initiative?
**[Guest Name]:** This is a very positive step for the Philippines. This type of collaboration, combining technology and global expertise with local knowledge, is exactly what we need to modernize our agriculture and make it more resilient.
**Host:** The Philippine government emphasizes this project as a key part of tackling climate change. How will the facility help farmers cope with its effects?
**[Guest Name]:** Climate change presents many challenges for agriculture, from extreme weather events to changing growing seasons. This facility, with its state-of-the-art greenhouse technology, will provide a controlled environment for farmers, allowing them to grow crops regardless of external weather conditions.
**Host:** This facility in Lucban is just one of twenty planned projects across Quezon, Laguna, and Nueva Ecija. What wider impact could these projects have on the Philippines?
**[Guest Name]:** This is a significant investment in the future of Philippine agriculture. These projects can act as model farms, demonstrating new technologies and practices that can be replicated across the country. This has the potential to increase productivity, improve incomes for farmers, and ultimately strengthen national food security.
**Host:** President Marcos Jr. stated that this project “opens a new chapter” for Philippine agriculture. Do you agree with this sentiment?
**[Guest Name]:** Absolutely. We are witnessing a shift towards a more sustainable, technologically advanced, and climate-resilient approach to agriculture in the Philippines. This project, and others like it, are essential steps in ensuring food security and prosperity for generations to come.
**Host:** Thank you for your insights, [Guest Name]. This certainly seems like a hopeful development for the future of Philippine agriculture.