Village-based feed program to tap co-op agribusinesses

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is launching a village-based feed supply program, which aims to boost corn and livestock production, cut feed costs, and improve rural incomes through cooperative-led agribusiness.

The Village-Type Feed Complete Chain Project (VFCCP), authorized by DA Memorandum Circular No. 2, aims to establish localized, self-sustaining feed production within rural communities.

The VFCCP will equip organized farmer groups with the infrastructure, machinery, and technical capacity necessary to produce high-quality corn- and forage-based livestock feed.

“This is about fixing the weakest link in livestock production — feed — by putting control back in the hands of farmers. When communities can grow, process, and mill their own feed, we lower costs, raise productivity, and make our food system more resilient,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. was quoted as saying in a statement.

The DA said the limited availability of affordable, quality, and consistent feed drives up production costs, reduces productivity, and causes frequent feeding disruptions, particularly among smallholder raisers.

Under the VFCCP, the DA will set aside a maximum budget of P40 million for each viable project, depending on the approved components and readiness of the recipient.

The DA said initial funding will be charged against the National Livestock Program, funded by the General Appropriations Act.

According to the circular, VFCCP will support the development of up to 25 hectares of corn and forage production areas, managed collectively by an accredited cooperative or association.

“The program integrates climate-resilient technologies such as solar-powered irrigation systems, biomass dryers, and mechanized forage production to ensure year-round feed availability and reduce reliance on imported inputs,” the DA added.

According to DA estimates, a VFCCP enterprise could generate average annual revenue of about P38.9 million against operating costs of roughly P30.7 million, yielding an estimated annual net cash flow of P8.2 million. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel