DA - PRDP Ilocos Region

𝗔 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗼𝗮𝗻

A major boost to agricultural development in La Union is now underway as the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) and the Provincial Government of La Union officially broke ground for the P17.41-million Provincial Storage Facility with Solar Dryer in Brgy. Bungol, Balaoan, La Union.

The groundbreaking ceremony was led by La Union Governor Mario Eduardo Ortega, joined by other key officials of the Province, DA-PRDP RPCO I Action Officer Mr. Deo Rivera, IBUILD Component Head Engr. Mark Harry Pastor, local officials, and farmer-beneficiaries who witnessed the start of a project that promises to improve the way agricultural products are handled, stored, and marketed across the province.

Funded under the Philippine Rural Development Project, the infrastructure subproject has a total investment of P17.41 million and will consist of a 350-square-meter warehouse and a 572.37-square meter solar dryer facility. The project is expected to directly benefit 938 farmers across 22 farmers’ associations in the province.

The facility will address one of the longstanding challenges faced by farmers on limited storage and drying facilities that often result in post-harvest losses, lower product quality, and reduced selling prices. Once operational, farmers will have access to a centralized facility where rice, corn, peanut, and mungbean harvests can be properly dried and stored before reaching the market.

According to the project study, the facility is expected to increase the market value of agricultural commodities, including peanut by 23 percent, mungbean by 50 percent, rice by 27 percent, and corn by 37 percent through improved drying and storage systems. It is also projected to reduce post-harvest losses and extend the shelf life and quality of seeds and produce.

Beyond its direct beneficiaries, the storage facility is expected to contribute to the broader agricultural development of La Union by improving commodity handling, encouraging higher production, supporting agribusiness activities, and enhancing the province’s food supply chain. The facility will serve as a critical support infrastructure for farming communities, helping make agriculture more competitive and sustainable in the years ahead.