It is expected to strengthen local farm mechanization, boost productivity, and lessen reliance on imported equipment.
Last Wednesday, December 10, the groundbreaking of the Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Complex (KAMIC) in Nueva Ecija happened. With a total investment of USD100 million, it will be built on a 20-hectare local government-owned land in Cabanatuan City.
The facility, which will be the country’s first large-scale agricultural machinery factory, will assemble and manufacture agricultural machinery, such as tractors and seeders, for the Philippine farm setting.
The groundbreaking ceremony was led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who acknowledged the sacrifices and challenges endured by Filipino farmers.
“The KAMIC is the first agricultural machinery production complex in the country. Its purpose is to strengthen our capacity to develop and build farm machinery,” Marcos said.
He continued, “Designed with Filipino farmers in mind, these tools will help increase production, improve crop quality, and ultimately raise the income of our farmers.”
The President also said that KAMIC’s production of advanced machinery will be integral to modernizing farmers’ operations and easing their labor. Moreover, they would need not to wait for the parts for their equipment or pay for overpriced equipment.
“No more farmers left behind in farming technology. The importance of mechanization in agriculture cannot be overstressed,” the President told.
President Marcos also thanked South Korean partners for investing in the country and assured them that the government will protect their investments. “I assure you that the government will continue to promote policies to protect your investments here in the Philippines,” he said.
AGRICULTURAL INPUTS, MACHINERIES FOR FARMERS
Meanwhile, the President also shared that he believes that the agriculture is the “soul” of the country’s economy.
“This is why we will continue to advance the agricultural sector with technology and the support that our farmers rightfully deserve, suited to the demands of the modern world.”
On the same day, he led the distribution of various agricultural inputs and machinery to farmers in Central Luzon, aiming to boost productivity and support local agriculture.
“To our farmers, we hope these machines will lighten your load. Never naman mangyari na magiging madali ang pagsasaka. Pero sana mapabilis ang trabaho ninyo at sana naman ay mapagaan ang inyong trabaho para naman magkaroon kayo ng panahon na makasama ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay,” the President said.
Among the equipment distributed were four-wheel drive tractors with implements, mechanical planters, combine harvesters, and hand tractors, with a total of 44 farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs) expected to benefit from the agricultural machinery.
Farmers also received fertilizer, soil ameliorants, as well as hybrid seeds, and foliar that will support 22,103 hectares of hybrid rice for the 2025 to 2026 dry season cropping.
Marcos also vowed to continue empowering the sector through advanced technologies and appropriate government support.
He said, “With the help of KAMIC and the hard work of our farmers, I am confident that our nation’s future will be more prosperous. The farmers’ future will be more prosperous. And our kababayans’ future will also be more prosperous. That is how important the work of our farmers is to the rest of our country.”