Postharvest projects get P267 M from KR-2

NAFC released to the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE) some P253 million to fund postharvest infrastructure and facilities in the countryside. The release represents the first tranche of the P267 million fund for the project entitled "Postharvest Infrastructure and Facility Support for Agri/Fishery Development."

The project aims to provide the necessary postharvest infrastructure support in strategic locations in the countryside. This will give small farmers and fishermen greater access to better postharvest technologies on handling, storage, processing and distribution of agriculture and fishery products.

Under the project, four packages of assistance will be made available:

• Commodity grain drying centers
• Trading posts
• Cold storage facilities
• Tramline system.

The project is open to local government units, and farmer and fisher groups willing to share the project cost.

BPRE in collaboration with the Regional Field Units of the Department of Agriculture implements the project while congressmen and LGU officials identify the packages of technology as well as the qualified recipients in their respective districts or areas.

The first release was given last September 30. The balance of some P14 million is due by 2003.