Laurel backs farm-to-market digital logistics system

MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. vowed to support the establishment of a farm-to-market digital logistics integrated backbone system, after farmers’ group Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) had asked President Marcos to order its implementation.

Former agriculture secretary and FFF chairman Leonardo Montemayor said that this was the commitment made by Laurel during a meeting with him at the Department of Agriculture (DA) central office in Quezon City.

“Secretary Laurel expressed appreciation and support for Philippine Trackway Corp. (Philtrak)’s Farm-to-Market Digital Integrated Logistics Backbone system, which the Federation of Free Farmers has endorsed to President Marcos,” Montemayor said.

He said the project will help farmers and fishers mass transport their produce directly to urban markets, thus increasing their incomes and making food more affordable to consumers.

“It will optimize the use of the same physical space of decommissioned or abandoned government railways by also including food production, post-harvest facilities, public markets, mass housing and other service facilities,” Montemayor added.

Philtrak president Francis Yuseco was also present during the meeting with Laurel.

Marcos has ordered a review on the proposals of FFF, including the nationwide solar-powered irrigation program for 1.5 million rain-fed palay farmers and a nationwide electronic commodity exchange system that will enable farmers to sell their products directly to buyers in urban areas using idle warehouses of the National Food Authority as delivery and storage areas for farmer products.

In an earlier interview with The STAR, Montemayor said he submitted a memorandum to the President containing at least seven recommendations.

“There is still no specific decision from the President as it is too soon, as the memorandum was only sent last week. Although he did promise to order its review. He thinks it’s reasonable,” he said.

Montemayor added that the FFF can provide details of the seven proposals if asked by Malacañang.

Montemayor said the proposed solar-powered irrigation program will also cover at least 200,000 underserved service areas of the