Group wants 2011 corn program budget doubled at P1.2 billion

To improve the post-harvest infrastructure for corn, an industry group wants government to double the 2011 budget of the Agriculture Corn Program to P1.2 billion. "There is a great need to improve our post-harvest facilities if we are to improve productivity and the recovery of corn," said Philippine Maize Federation president Roger Navarro. Corn is considered as a rice substitute. Navarro said that 30 to 35 percent of corn production is lost due to poor post-harvest facilities. The group will recommend the budget hike together with other resolutions during the three-day National Corn Congress in Isabela next month. The congress coincides with the inauguration of the Reina Mercedes Corn Processing Center, the biggest corn post-harvest facility in Southeast Asia. Among the resolutions that will be presented at the congress are the removal of fees and taxes by the National Food Authority and local government units on farm machineries and making available special windows for loans in corn belts for post harvest centers a low 6-percent interest. —JE/VS, GMANews.TV