Funding provided by the National Farm-to-Market Project
PHP200 million has been allocated for farm-to-market roads (FMR) in seven areas in Baguio City. Agricultural productivity is anticipated to increase in the area and will help farmers bring their goods to consumers.
The City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO), listed the seven FMRs that will receive funding from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
List of Roads slated for improvement.
1. Santo Tomas Central to Western Link Circumferential Road at Santo Tomas Central and Proper;
2. Sitio Mangitit, Camp 7;
3. Balenben Road near the City’s social development center in Irisan;
4. Balenben Purok 12, Irisan;
5. Aurelio Street, Dontogan;
6. Pine Tree Alley, Asin Road;
7. Sto. Tomas Central to Adiwang Road, Dontogan.
These locations have been chosen because there are already active agricultural activities in a number of these areas, and the goal is for farmers and producers to have as little trouble as possible selling their goods.
3,000 people, largely from the listed locations, have registered as farm laborers engaged in urban agriculture with the government’s agriculture registry system.
The projects are anticipated to be finished in 2023.
The city government had already formally acknowledged the sector’s existence and the presence of agricultural activities in this highly urbanized city.
The need for FMRs development projects was raised during discussions with local farmers and agriculture sector stakeholders, which led to the request for funding support.
Earlier, Mayor Benjamin Magalong stated that he wanted to make the city the top producer and exporter of premium strawberries and button mushrooms.
Farm-to-market roads link fishing and farming communities to markets, making it relatively simple for producers to deliver their products to buyers. These roads assist farmers and fishermen in obtaining higher prices and a wider market for their goods. FMRs also boost the economy and provide rural areas more authority. As a result, the establishment of FMRs is crucial to the Philippine government’s attempts to advance rural development and spur economic growth.
