CdeO City, May 14 – Misamis Oriental farmers will now have greater access to boost their productivity and income through completion of the nearly Php10 million seed storage with warehouse, nested within barangay Lumbia, this city.

Adopting the ‘new normal’ amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Project was officially turned over by the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) helmed by OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado to the Provincial Local Government Unit of MisOr thru Governor Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano, in a simultaneous virtual and on-site turnover.

With fund source from the agency’s Corn Program, said facility is primarily built in support to the buffer stocking of corn seeds while ensuring its quality by maintaining its acceptable germination rate through improved seed storage.

“It is high time that we have this turnover, as there are a lot of seeds and fertilizers coming for the province,” Collado, the executive director reported, especially amid the ongoing global health crisis, creating an even more challenge for the so-called food security frontliners.

Lying in an area of 312.5 square meter, with an approximate total capacity of 265 tons at 13,203 bags, in which the cold storage can house 114 tons consisting of 5,658 bags at 20 kilograms per bag while the ambient storage can hold 151 tons consisting of 7,545 bags at 20 kilograms per bag.

“The department will be delivering and storing about 15,600 bags of seeds and fertilizers costing around at Php32.5 million for Misamis Oriental,” he detailed.

As the Project will also be home to DA’s other interventions like rice and high value crops seeds and farm equipment, the agency head elaborated that provision of hybrid and inbred seeds will be directly given to the [municipal] local governments and to be arranged for distribution to farmers.

“The remaining stocks, however, will be stored in said facility,” Collado further said.

In response, Gov. Emano pinned his hope in said Project, as it will address the plight of farmers every planting season, paving easier access to withdraw quality farm inputs.

“We are very grateful for what you [DA] have done for MisOr. I guess this is the time where we will be able to deliver the seeds at the right time,” the provincial governor remarked.

Even he acknowledges that the agency is exerting its efforts of buying the much needed seeds at the soonest time, the challenge is buying them too early and not being able to transport the seeds fast to its intended beneficiaries.

“With the finished Project, the agency precisely addresses the Misamisnon farmers’ stocking needs for seeds to focus and promptly start their planting activities,” Emano concluded. #