Farmers in Guimaras province in Western Visayas, Philippines are being urged to plant more corn to supply a feedmill targeted to open this year, a report by the Philippine News Agency said.
JC Rahman Nava, Guimaras Lone District Representative, said the province needs 500 hectares of corn to meet the facility’s raw material demand.
The feedmill, located in Barangay Sapal, San Lorenzo, is part of the government’s Agri-Fishery Industrial Village. It is expected to produce 5 tons of feed daily once operational.
Mr Nava acknowledged that low buying prices may discourage farmers from planting corn. However, he said prices will improve once the facility begins operations and local demand increases.
The feedmill will produce feeds for pigs, cattle, chickens, and cultured milkfish in Sibunag and Nueva Valencia towns.
It will use corn as the main ingredient, blended with byproducts from a coconut processing facility also being constructed in the industrial village.
Provincial Agriculturist Alvin Nava said they are targeting to operate the feedmill this year to cater to livestock and poultry raisers.