SMC, DA tie up for food security

San Miguel Corp. (SMC) will partner with the Department of Agriculture (DA) in two initiatives that will help secure food supply as farmers struggle from the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

SMC will mass purchase agricultural produce, starting with four million kilograms of surplus corn. The move aims to help farmers in their livelihood and increase food supply during the enhanced community quarantine.

The surplus corn is enough to manufacture feeds for over seven million live broilers that can further augment poultry supply in the country and is enough to feed four million families in a day.

“Through this program with the Agricultural department, we will be able to keep our farmers afloat as we navigate these uncertain times,” SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang said in a statement.

SMC will buy most of the four million kilograms of surplus corn from corn farms in Cagayan Valley, which span about 25,000 hectares.

The purchase of surplus corn is under pre-agreed prices and volume.

Mr. Ang also thanked the DA for offering its network of corn and cassava farmers where San Miguel Foods, Inc. can source the raw materials it needs for food production.

Meanwhile, SMC is also planning to use its Petron gas stations nationwide as outlets for the DA’s Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita rolling store program.

Under the partnership, farm produce and basic food commodities under the Kadiwa program will be stationed at Petron stations.

“We can also help people stay safe, healthy, and nourished by providing them a convenient way to buy fresh fruits and vegetables from our local farmers,” Mr. Ang said.

Initial venues for the program include Petron stations in Filinvest, EDSA, and Katipunan, with additional gas stations set to participate in the coming days.

SMC also guaranteed ample food supply for at least six months, lasting beyond the enhanced community quarantine.

Its facilities produce a daily output of 1.96 million kilograms of fresh meats such as poultry, beef, and pork, 524,000 kilograms of processed meats such as canned meat, and 2.11 million kilograms of flour and baked goods such as biscuits and nutribuns. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave