THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has begun building a $6-million agribusiness incubation center in Zambales to help small farmers develop sustainable enterprises.
The center broke ground Oct. 1 at the DA Research Outreach Station for Lahar-Laden Areas Development in Barangay Rabanes, San Marcelino.
The facility is part of a project funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) to improve the livelihoods and incomes of marginalized farmers in Central Luzon.
The project, implemented with the DA’s Central Luzon office, runs from 2025 to 2029.
The center will provide farmers and aspiring agripreneurs with shared offices, processing facilities, training and mentorship. It will also connect them with markets, financing institutions, government agencies and other partners.
The facility will draw on South Korea’s experience in agricultural entrepreneurship and innovation, adapted to the needs of Central Luzon.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said the center would help farmers move beyond production and develop their own businesses.
The project will also train farmers and their organizations to operate competitive, market-oriented enterprises.
Guevarra and Koica country director Jung Youngsun attended the groundbreaking with DA Central Luzon Regional Executive Director Eduardo Lapuz Jr. and other officials.
The initiative is part of the continuing agricultural partnership between the Philippines and South Korea, covering productivity, training, knowledge-sharing and value-chain development.