PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Agriculture (DA) led the inauguration of a South Korea-backed greenhouse and post-harvest facility in Lucban, Quezon last Friday.
DA said in a statement yesterday the facility is just one of 20 greenhouses that have been established with help from the South Korean government across pilot villages in Quezon, Laguna and Nueva Ecija that are aimed to modernize agriculture and build resilience against climate change in the country.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., said the Korea Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture (KOPIA) helped the Bureau of Plant Industry and the local government of Lucban to bring the project to fruition.
KOPIA is an official development assistance program of the Rural Development Administration which is South Korea’s largest agricultural research and development organization.
“This greenhouse represents more than just infrastructure; it symbolizes innovation, hope and the power of collaboration… It reflects our shared vision of sustainable farming that adapts to the evolving needs of our agricultural sector,” Tiu Laurel said.
The agri chief also noted the severe impact of climate change on agriculture, including unpredictable weather patterns, disruption of planting schedules due to El Niño and increasing prevalence of pests.
Tiu Laurel said adapting modern farming technologies, like greenhouse cultivation, is key to ensuring food security despite these environmental challenges.
The new facilities that was built in collaboration with KOPIA, also introduced advanced farming practices to local farmers, particularly in protective cultivation. Such method allows for year-round crop production, which is critical in maintaining stable food supplies amid unpredictable climate. “Our goal is not only to ensure food security but also to build resilient farming systems that empower our farmers,” Tiu Laurel said.
