AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. leads the groundbreaking of smart greenhouse facilities in Kalibo, Aklan on Jan. 23. — DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

THE Department of Agriculture (DA), in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has launched the construction of a smart greenhouse facility in Aklan to modernize high-value crop production in the province.

Located at the Aklan Agri-Aqua Demo Farm and Training Center in Kalibo, the facility is part of KOICA’s $8-million Value Chain Enhancement of High-Value Crops through Smart Agriculture (VEHCSA) Project.

In a statement on Monday, the DA said the project aims to introduce smart farming technologies, increase productivity and income for smallholder farmers, and serve as a replicable model for high-value crop production across the region.

Launched in November 2023 and running until December 2027, the VEHCSA project focuses on crops such as cherry tomatoes, lettuce, honeydew melon, cucumber, bell pepper, herbs, chives, and sesame leaf.

The DA said similar facilities will also be constructed in Antique, Iloilo and Negros Occidental.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. was quoted as saying that the project will create more opportunities in rural communities and strengthen the high-value crops sector.

“This project is an investment in our farmers’ future — improving productivity, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods,” he said. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

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