President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday reiterated his administration’s commitment to support the agricultural sector as he sought increased farming production and improved local farmers' income.

Marcos renewed his commitment as he led the inauguration of the P278.3-million Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative (SIDC) Grains Terminal and Trading Project in Barangay Simlong, Batangas City.

“Lagi po ninyong tandaan na kami sa pamahalaan ay walang tigil sa pagbibigay ng suporta sa inyong mga pangangailangan upang mapabuti ang sektor – mapabuti, mapatibay, mapalakas, at mapalaki ang sektor ng agrikultura (Always remember that we in the government are non-stop in providing support for your needs to improve the sector – to enhance, strengthen, empower, and expand the agricultural sector),” Marcos told farmers in the area.

During his speech, Marcos ordered the Department of Agriculture (DA) to coordinate with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) to strengthen the farming cooperatives and empower local farmers.

Marcos assured that other cooperatives would also receive government assistance so they could acquire new machinery and post-harvest facilities to boost their yields and income.

“Tinitiyak po natin sa inyo na gagawin namin ang lahat upang matupad ang mga ito (We assure you that we will do everything we can to make these happen),” he added.

To fulfill the country’s goal, Marcos said the government and the private sector would collaborate further to provide farmers with more opportunities.

Marcos said purchasing more farming facilities and improving the systems would lessen the wastage of rice and corn in the country.

It would also lower food prices and make farmers more productive.

“The government will also speed up irrigation and water pumping station projects and expand the programs that will improve and increase production through more effective and advanced technology,” Marcos said.

The newly inaugurated feed mill facility has two silos with a total capacity of milling 12,000 metric tons of corn, equivalent to producing 480,000 sacks of food for 107,000 hogs or 597,758 poultry.