The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Cooperative have selected a 20-hectare land in Cabanatuan City as the site for the establishment of an agricultural machinery assembly center in the country.
The Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Complex (KAMIC) is expected to boost local machinery production, benefiting both current and future generations of farmers.
DA Special Concerns and Official Development Assistance – Foreign Aid/Grants Undersecretary Jerome Oliveros expressed his enthusiasm about the project, highlighting its alignment with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision.
“It’s delightful because, finally, the dream of our beloved President will soon come true. In the next couple of years, many machines like the ones we saw earlier will be produced and, one day, will be distributed across the entire archipelago of our country,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mayor Myca Elizabeth Vergara expressed the local government’s full support for the project, particularly in improving public roads to ensure accessibility to the plant.
“We feel immense pride in being part of the collaboration that reflects our shared commitment to harmonize innovation and tradition while supporting the livelihood of our farmers,” she stated.
Vergara also reiterated that the establishment of KAMIC in the city would improve access to agricultural machinery such as tractors, harvesters, and other equipment that could help increase crop yields and enhance farmers’ livelihoods.
“With the help of these machineries, the farming process will surely become easier and faster. Not only will this make our work more efficient, but it will also strengthen our production, leading to higher income for you, our farmers,” she highlighted.
In addition to improving agricultural production, the project will also generate numerous job opportunities, benefiting not only the residents of the city but also those from surrounding areas.
The groundbreaking for the project is expected to take place in March 2025.
In line with this, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization spearheaded the Machinery Roadshow 2024 held at Plaza Lucero in Cabanatuan City, with the theme “Gitnang Luzon: Sentro ng Mekanisasyon,” featuring various types of agricultural machinery.
The event aims to promote, showcase, and demonstrate the latest agricultural machinery for rice, corn, and high-value commodities to farmers and other stakeholders in Central Luzon’s agriculture industry. (CLJD/MAECR, PIA Region 3-Nueva Ecija)