By Kenneth Marcos 
Before sunrise in Victoria town, trucks carrying fresh vegetables rolled in from nearby farms, their loads often sold at low prices because farmers had no place to store or consolidate their harvest. For many growers in Oriental Mindoro, timing and access to buyers have long decided whether a season ends in profit or loss.
On February 2, 2026, the Department of Agriculture (DA) took a major step to change that reality. Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr. led the launch of two key projects aimed at raising farmer incomes and strengthening food security in the province, a major supplier of rice, vegetables, and other crops to Luzon.
At the center of the initiative is the Oriental Mindoro Trading and Consolidation Facility (OMTCF), a P33.5-million project funded under the Philippine Rural Development Project. The facility was built as a centralized hub for consolidation, trading, and distribution, addressing a long-standing weakness in Philippine agriculture: fragmented logistics that force farmers to sell produce cheaply and at unfavorable times.
Covering 966.75 square meters, the OMTCF includes 18 trading stalls, storage areas, washing, sorting, weighing, and packing zones, as well as designated loading bays. These features are designed to move produce efficiently from farms to buyers while reducing spoilage and post-harvest losses, a common problem that cuts deeply into farmer earnings.
The facility serves both organized cooperatives and independent farmers. It provides hauling services, basic processing, and market linkages, including access to institutional buyers and digital platforms. By pooling volumes and standardizing quality, farmers can negotiate better prices and reach larger markets that were previously out of reach.
Complementing the trading hub is the Provincial Demo Farm, a cluster of facilities focused on value-adding beyond raw production. The demo farm houses agri-processing centers equipped with modern dehydrators, vacuum fryers, and baking systems. These allow farmers and cooperatives to turn fresh produce into higher-value food products, increasing income and reducing waste during peak harvest seasons.
A key feature is a mobile “Foodtrip” processing truck that can travel to farming communities. The truck converts excess harvests into shelf-stable products, helping farmers avoid losses when supply exceeds demand. Also included is a solar-powered greenhouse using hydroponics technology, enabling the year-round production of high-value crops despite weather changes.
“This is what a modern agricultural ecosystem should look like,” Tiu Laurel said during the launch. He explained that production, processing, logistics, and markets must work together so farmers are no longer just price takers but active players across the value chain.
Alongside the OMTCF, the DA also launched the Provincial Agriculture Center (PAC). Developed under the Climate-Resilient and Inclusive Green Growth Program with support from both international and local partners, the PAC offers agri-incubation services, toll processing, extended aggregation, and market linkage support. It works closely with the OMTCF to ensure a steady flow of agricultural products that meet market demand.
Oriental Mindoro plays a vital role in the country’s food supply, particularly for Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Officials say investments like these are critical as farmers face rising input costs, climate risks, and pressure from middlemen. By improving infrastructure and coordination, the DA aims to make farming more profitable and resilient.
As the new facilities begin operations, farmers in Mindoro are hopeful that better access to markets and processing will finally allow them to earn what their hard work deserves. The projects signal a shift toward a more inclusive and competitive agricultural system, one where growth is shared from the field to the marketplace.
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