The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Friday, December 18, to develop an inclusive agribusiness hub in New Clark City. New Clark City will be the first site of DA’s “Agro-industrial Business Corridors” (ABC) to be established across different regions to attract more investments in the agriculture sector. The 50-hectare ABC in New Clark City seeks to introduce innovative agricultural technology to farmers, and to provide them with access to quality seeds. The first phase of the project will involve putting up the first National Seed Technology Park (NSTP). “Alam niyo ang kahalagahan ng buto: it represents life itself because it sustains the life of a crop. Itong araw na ito ay mahalaga because we are starting to realize the vision for putting up the future of agriculture that we want to have,” Secretary Dar said. “We want to work out what are the component strategies that will make it possible for this country, really being an agriculture country, to unleash its potential as a major pillar of the economy.” The MOA was signed by Agriculture Secretary William Dar and BCDA President and CEO Vince Dizon at the DA office in Quezon City. Also present during the signing ceremony were DA Undersecretary for Agro-industrialization and Fisheries Cheryl Marie Natividad Caballero and OIC Regional Executive Director Crispulo Bautista, Jr., and BCDA Executive Vice President Aileen Zosa and Vice President for Business Development Arrey Perez. “The Agro-Industrial Business Corridor is critical not just for Clark but for the entire country because agricultural sustainability is really the cornerstone not just of this government but of the entire country and of governments to come,” Dizon said. Dizon also highlighted infrastructure investments in the region and New Clark City’s resiliency, making the new metropolis a strategic location for the ABC. “Kinakailangan lagi tayong handa to face the many challenges—especially unknown and unpredicted challenges—that we may have in the future and this pandemic really highlighted how important this is,” he said. The DA will start the development of the agribusiness hub with a seven-hectare land where the NSTP will be built. The NSTP, which will include a seed laboratory and mini-seed production farms, will allow the development of all types of seed varieties to ensure access to high-yielding seeds. The other components of the first phase of development include incubation hubs, a Project Management Office, and other institutional developments of the DA. The New Clark City agribusiness hub is also seen to complement the planned Clark Fresh Food Market in the Clark Civil Aviation Complex, which aims to integrate post-harvest facilities and target niche markets for organic produce, halal-certified goods, and premium quality food products.

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) are planning to put up an Agro-Industrial Hub in New Clark City aimed to support farming communities, and strengthen food security in Luzon. On July 1, Secretary William Dar sent a contingent from the DA headed by Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Caballero to inspect an initial 30-hectare site in New Clark City allocated by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). Also present was BCDA Vice President for Business Development Arrey Perez. According to the DA, the project complements the agency’s rebooting strategy amidst the pandemic through the development of Agro-industrial Business Corridors (ABCs) for food security and livelihood.Caballero noted that New Clark City has a “strategic” location and is easily accessible from both North and South Luzon. The New Clark City Agro-Industrial Hub seeks to integrate small-scale farmers, and provide access to production resources such as technology, capital, and value-enhancing facilities. BCDA President and CEO Vince Dizon said the project is part of the government’s efforts to provide assistance to farmers and entrepreneurs, create more jobs, and spread development in the countryside. “This hub will not only enhance the productivity of our farmers, but will also boost economic activity in the region. Improved connectivity infrastructure and the other planned developments in New Clark City make it the best location for this project, and we plan to have this agro-industrial hub started by next year,” Dizon said. The project will house agri-business hubs and multi-purpose facilities that will be key to managing and integrating the food supply chain, as well as introducing innovative agricultural technology to farmers. First to be put up will be the National Seed Technology Park (NSTP). The New Clark City Agro-Industrial Hub will also complement the planned Clark Fresh Food Market in the Clark Civil Aviation Complex, which aims to integrate post-harvest facilities and target niche markets for organic produce, halal-certified goods, and premium quality food products.