P2B earmarked to reduce postharvest losses

Sen. Edgardo Angara said P2 billion has been earmarked this year for post-harvest facilities under the country’s agriculture and fisheries modernization program as he stressed the urgent need to reduce the agriculture sector’s post-harvest losses.

“This allocation includes P1 billion worth of new dryers for the National Food Authority and 1,000 flatbed dryers for the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension,” he reported.

“Agriculture is an important element in propelling the country’s engine of progress but it is however constrained by lack of appropriate post-harvest facilities and practices that limit the agriculture sector in meeting the demands of the growing population,” Angara said.

“Aside from increasing production, reducing post-harvest losses is one strategic way in achieving stable food supply in the country,” the senator stressed in his speech delivered for him by Dr. Paciencia Milan, executive director of the Congressional Oversight Committee on Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization (COCAFM), during the recently held 30th anniversary celebration of BPRE.

BPRE Director Ricardo Cachuela reported that the country’s estimated post-harvest losses are as follows: rice, 14.84 percent; corn, 12.7 percent; fruits, 23-32 percent; and vegetables, 42 percent.

“Being the author of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) I have always believed that developing and modernizing the agriculture sector remains the key strategy to fighting massive poverty,” Angara said.