Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, has been selected as the site for the country's first industrial park for companies that will manufacture agricultural equipment and spare parts.

The initiative is a collaboration between the Cabanatuan City government, Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech), and the Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Cooperative (Kamico).

PHilMech, an agency under the Department of Agriculture (DA), has been working hard for the realization of the project and will provide technical expertise, among many others. On the other hand, Kamico has been providing training and other forms of assistance to PHilMech with the ultimate aim of improving the country's manufacturing and fabrication of agricultural equipment.

The 20-hectare site that will be called the Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Complex (Kamic) is expected to boost local machinery production, benefiting both current and future generations of farmers.

DA Special Concerns and Official Development Assistance-Foreign Aid/Grants Undersecretary Jerome Oliveros expressed his enthusiasm on the project, highlighting its alignment with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s vision for the country's agriculture sector.

"It's delightful because, finally, the dream of our beloved President will soon come true. In the next couple of years, many machines like the ones we saw earlier will be produced and, one day, will be distributed across the entire archipelago of our country," he said.

For her part, Cabanatuan Mayor Myca Elizabeth Vergara expressed the local government's full support for the project, particularly in improving public roads to ensure accessibility to the site.

"We feel immense pride in being part of the collaboration that reflects our shared commitment to harmonize innovation and tradition while supporting the livelihood of our farmers," she stated.

Vergara also reiterated that the establishment of Kamic in the city would improve access to agricultural machines such as tractors, harvesters and other equipment that could help increase crop yields and enhance farmers' livelihoods within and outside of Nueva Ecija.

"With the help of these machineries, the farming process will surely become easier and faster. Not only will this make our work more efficient, but it will also strengthen our production, leading to higher income for you, our farmers," she said.

The project will also help generate jobs. The groundbreaking for the project is expected to take place in March 2025.

Source - https://www.manilatimes.net