DA accelerates efforts to develop Bukidnon Food Hub project to advance Mindanao’s agri sector

 

MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon (November 26, 2025) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the provincial government of Bukidnon have sealed a P1.97-billion partnership to build a sprawling food hub, a major infrastructure initiative aimed at modernizing agricultural logistics and strengthening the value chain in Northern Mindanao (NorMin).

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu-Laurel Jr. and Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the development of the Bukidnon Food Hub (BFH) in Manolo Fortich town.

Positioned just outside Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao’s commercial center, the BFH is designed to give farmers and food producers a direct access to both domestic and export markets. Oro hosts Laguindingan International Airport and the largest seaport in Southern Philippines, making it the region’s logistics gateway.

“For a long time, Mindanao has been regarded as the land of promise. This food hub that we will build in Bukidnon, a rich agricultural center, is a step toward the realization of that promise—not only for Mindanaoans but for the entire nation,” Tiu-Laurel said.

Bukidnon Governor Roque expressed optimism over the project’s potential impact on communities and local agribusinesses.

“We are grateful to our President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the DA for continuing to help rural communities and uplift our local farmers,” the local chief executive said.

Planned for development within a 39-hectare site, the BFH aims to sharpen market linkages, scale up agribusiness operations, expand farmers’ access to credit, boost productivity, and drive efficiency across the supply chain. It is envisioned to consolidate high-value crops and other key commodities from major producing municipalities and channel them through fast, reliable links to nearby ports and airport facilities.

The complex will house a full suite of post-harvest and processing infrastructure, including cold storage and dry warehouses, dryers and dehydrators, an ice plant, and processing centers for corn, coffee, cacao, vegetables, and fruits. A poultry dressing plant, wholesale food market platforms, transport and handling bays, commercial spaces, water systems, standby power, and waste treatment facilities round out the development.

According to Tiu Laurel, the BFH is expected to cut logistics costs, lower post-harvest losses, stabilize supply chains, open new income streams for farmers, and generate jobs. “This project is a game changer— a transformative investment that will strengthen Northern Mindanao’s agricultural competitiveness, support national food security goals, and spur private-sector investments,” he added.

In the same event, the DA-10 ramped up its support to various local government units and farmers cooperatives, associations (FCAs) across the region. This support is materialized through the distribution of Certificate of Commitments, comprised of a hauling truck, a farm tractor, and agri equipment, collectively valued at PhP21.9-million.

Anchored on the current administration’s Philippine Development Plan (PDP) for 2023-2028 to modernize value chain and logistics, the DA, together with the provincial government of Misamis Oriental through Gov. Juliette T. Uy, also signed a MOA for another Food Hub in Claveria town as MisOr’s emerging food basket.#