CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) -- To boost the corn industry in Cagayan Valley, the Department of Agriculture (DA), in partnership with the City Government of Ilagan, established a processing facility for corn-based food products and livestock feeds. 

In the groundbreaking ceremony of the P200 million worth of government facility situated in this city, Senator Mark Villar said the Ilagan Corn (I-Corn) complex will benefit not only the corn farmers of Isabela province but also its neighboring provinces. 

He also said the facility will help sustain Cagayan Valley’s status as the ‘Corn Capital’ of the Philippines.

“This is a symbol of progress, unity, and collective effort of the DA and the City Government to harness the potential of the corn industry. It also demonstrates the commitment of Ilagan to invest for the development of corn farmers,” Villar said. 

OIC-Regional Executive Director Rosemary Aquino of DA Region 2 also said the facility is first of its kind in the entire Philippines which will house both processing and post-harvest facilities to ensure quality processed animal feeds and other corn-based food by-products.

“This facility will serve as a one-stop shop agri-commercial center for corn farmers in the whole region. This will surely boost the production of our corn farmers and contribute further to the economy of the region,” Aquino said.

She also said the facility is an answer to the dream of the farmers and the officials of the region to have its own processing facility to limit raw materials export and trade to other regions.

“We have been eyeing for a processing facility because our corn productions are being exported to be processed and then it goes back to our region in the form of feeds and other food products at a higher cost,” Aquino said.  

The I-Corn Complex will consist of a mechanical dryer with a daily capacity of 150 metric tons, a multi-crop drying pavement, and a truck scale. 

Meanwhile, City of Ilagan Mayor Josemarie Diaz recognized the all out support of the agriculture department for the establishment of the processing facility in the city.

“This marks a remarkable fusion of technology, sustainability, and economic development. We are confident that the project will catalyze positive change in the corn industry elevating new standards and setting new precedence for excellence," Diaz said. 

Farmers sun dry their newly harvested corn produce. (Photos from DA-2) 

The province of Isabela is producing over 1.4 metric tons of corn every cropping season, wherein the City of Ilagan contributes over 155,000 metric tons to the production.(OTB/ MGE/PIA Isabela)