By Kenneth Marcos 
Inside a meeting room filled with farmers’ representatives, planners, and agriculture officials, one message was clear: the future of the country’s corn industry depends on careful planning, proper funding, and listening to those who work the land. As food prices remain sensitive and feed demand continues to rise, stakeholders agreed that stronger support for corn farmers is critical.
The National Sectoral Committee on Corn and Feed Crops (NSC-CFC), under the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF), has expressed full support for the Department of Agriculture’s National Corn Program (NCP) plan and budget proposal. The endorsement followed a consultative meeting held on February 4, 2026, aimed at reviewing the NCP’s proposed plan and budget for Fiscal Year 2027.
The consultation was conducted in line with the DA’s internal budget preparation guidelines. It forms part of the government’s effort to ensure that agriculture programs are transparent, well-funded, and responsive to the real needs of farmers and industry players.
The meeting was presided over by NSC-CFC Chairperson Romualdo Elvira Jr., who highlighted the importance of stakeholder participation in shaping government programs. He said that consultations like this help strengthen accountability and ensure that public funds are directed to projects that deliver real benefits on the ground.
During the discussion, NCP Officer-in-Charge Deputy Director Engr. Vincent Chua presented the program’s accomplishments for Fiscal Year 2025, the approved budget under the FY 2026 General Appropriations Act, and the proposed allocations for FY 2027. He outlined strategies focused on improving corn productivity, promoting sustainable farming practices, and increasing the competitiveness of locally produced corn.
Participants raised several key concerns affecting corn farmers nationwide. Among these were the availability and results of techno-demonstration projects, which farmers rely on to test new technologies and farming methods. Stakeholders also discussed the need for clearer validation and endorsement processes for farm machinery requests to ensure that equipment reaches deserving farmer groups.
Sustainable land management was another major topic, especially for corn farms located in upland and sloping areas. Farmers and sector representatives stressed the need for soil conservation measures to prevent erosion, maintain productivity, and protect long-term farm income.
Post-harvest challenges drew strong attention during the meeting. Stakeholders pointed out that many corn-producing areas lack sufficient drying and storage facilities. This often leads to aflatoxin contamination, which lowers corn quality and makes it unsafe for animal feed and human consumption. High operating costs of existing post-harvest facilities were also raised as a burden, especially for small farmer groups and cooperatives.
To address these issues, participants called for more drying facilities, improved irrigation support, and additional diagnostic and testing laboratories to ensure corn quality and food safety standards.
Responding to these concerns, NCP Program Director Engr. Maria Christine Inting explained that beneficiaries of farm machinery and equipment are identified based on endorsements from Agriculture and Fishery Councils and DA Regional Field Offices. These endorsements are then validated by the National Corn Program to ensure fairness and proper targeting.
She added that, following the guidance of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Undersecretary for Operations Engr. Roger Navarro, the NCP will intensify the installation of drying facilities in major corn-producing regions. The program will also strengthen coordination with farmer cooperatives and associations to better address local operational and technical needs.
The meeting also explored crop diversification options, particularly for rice-growing areas suitable for feed crops. Corn, sorghum, and soybean were identified as viable alternatives that could help increase farmer income and support the livestock and poultry sectors.
The NCP encouraged stakeholders to continue working closely with DA Regional Field Offices and Regional Corn Coordinators. Farmers and groups were advised to raise concerns early and submit proposals for possible funding as the program refines its FY 2027 plan and budget.
As the consultation ended, both government and farmer representatives agreed that open dialogue remains key to building a stronger, more resilient corn industry—one that supports farmers, stabilizes food supply, and contributes to national growth.
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