CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Department of Agriculture Region 3 officially broke ground for the Agribusiness Incubation (ABI) Center on Oct. 1 at the DA-Research Outreach Station for Lahar-Laden Areas Development (DA-RSLL) in Barangay Rabanes here.
The facility is under the “Development of a Community-Based Agribusiness to Improve the Livelihood and Income of Marginal Farmers in Central Luzon,” funded with a $6-million grant from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) implemented by DA-Region 3 from 2025 to 2029.
It is aimed to strengthening the capacity of local farmers and agricultural organizations in the region to engage in agricultural processing and value-adding opportunities towards greater and stable market participation.
The ABI Center will serve as an incubator to guide farmers in establishment and enhancement of businesses through the provision of shared office spaces, processing facilities, trainings, mentorship, bridge financing, and marketing.
It will also serve as a techno-sharing hub with best practices from South Korea for possible replication or adaptation in Central Luzon.
“I believe the establishment of the ABI Center is especially meaningful as it responds to one of the most important challenges facing our agricultural sector today, and that is: How do we welp our farmers move beyond production and become successful entrepreneurs? They need an environment where they can develop their ideas, learn from others, and turn promising agricultural ventures into successful and sustainable businesses,” enthused DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs Atty. Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra during the program following the groundbreaking rites.
For his part, KOICA Country Director Jung Youngsun said: “Through our partnership with the Philippines, the Government of the Republic of Korea, through KOICA, hopes to contribute to a more productive and competitive agricultural sector by empowering Filipino farmers to develop sustainable agribusiness, increase their incomes, and build stronger rural communities.
Comprising the DA delegation at the event with Asec Velicaria-Guevarra were DA-Region 3 executive director Dr. Eduardo L. Lapuz Jr., regional technical directors Arthur D. Dayrit and Elma S. Mananes, project leader Josephine J. Muñoz, and station chief Engr. Matthew Mark C. Capillo.
From KOICA, with country director Youngsun were assistant country director Pyun Eunhye, project manager Yim Soungbin, assistant program manager Leny Amparo, and program officer Kim Gabin.
The local government was represented by Mayor Elvis R. Soria, provincial agriculturist Arnel V. Abayan, municipal agriculturist Remin P. Sorda, and agricultural extension workers.
Mayor Soria called the project an important development for the municipality’s farming sector, particularly for communities whose residents depend largely on agriculture for their livelihood.
Among the identified beneficiary communities are Barangay San Joaquin and Barangay Buawe, where farmers produce crops such as cassava and sweet potato which could benefit from improved processing and value-adding technologies. DA-3/Punto News Team
