The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture (DA) has inaugurated a 3m pesos ($52,300) mung bean packaging facility in Cabatuan, Isabela province.
The facility is set to enhance agricultural productivity and support an estimated 180 local farmers who produce mung bean during the dry cropping season.
Located in barangay Saranay, the plant has been developed as part of the High-Value Crops Development Program, representing a critical step towards ensuring regional food security.
The inauguration ceremony of the facility was led by the DA-Regional Field Office 2 (DA-RFO2) in partnership with various stakeholders, including farmer cooperatives and the local government.
The plant was funded under the 2024 General Appropriations Act, reported the Manila Times.
Paul Buenavista of DA-RFO2 highlighted the facility’s importance, stating: “With this programme, local farmers will have more options to increase their output, add value to their harvests, and reach new markets.”
During the event, agricultural inputs were distributed to farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs) from Cagayan Valley.
These included 3,200kg of mung bean seeds and 320 litres of carrageenan plant growth promoter, with the Flow of Pariir Agriculture Cooperative receiving inputs worth 736,000 pesos.
Other FCAs such as the Tumauini Federation of National and Communal Irrigators Association and the Farmers of Luna Agriculture Cooperative also received contributions to support their mung bean production.
A government spokesperson spoke about the need for collaboration to achieve export goals and shared the DA’s vision for the Flow of Pariir Cooperative, which includes aspirations for national recognition as a leading bean producer.
