A COOPERATIVE based in Ilagan, Isabela has received an integrated corn processing complex (Icorn) worth P106.9 million that will help modernize agriculture in the province.The facility, located in Barangay Marana 1st, Ilagan, facility forms part of the government’s push to modernize agriculture under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to increase food production, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve farmers’ productivity and income.The Department of Agriculture (DA) office in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) led the inauguration of the Icorn last May 26 with the Asosasyon ng mga Ama sa Siyudad ng Ilagan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) as recipient.With an annual drying capacity of 10,560 metric tons, the complex is built to handle large volumes during peak harvest. Ilagan Mayor Jose Marie Diaz said Icorn is expected to improve grain quality, minimize spoilage, and make grain handling more efficient.For corn farmers, the direct benefit is speed. Freshly harvested corn can now be processed quickly instead of waiting in line at overloaded facilities or risking exposure to rain and humidity. Less time in transition means less moisture, fewer molds, and lower post-harvest losses.Diaz said more than 1,100 corn farmers in Ilagan are expected to directly benefit.
Rice farmers in the city and neighboring municipalities are also expected to gain access during peak seasons when existing dryers reach full capacity.Stability at the farmgateBeyond drying, the complex aims to help stabilize grain handling in the area.Diaz said post-harvest infrastructure can contribute to better farmgate prices by reducing losses and keeping grain quality consistent from harvest to market.The inauguration included the signing of a buy-back memorandum of agreement among the Iligan city government, the Asosasyon ng mga Ama sa Siyudad ng Ilagan MPC, CP Seeds (Philippines) Corporation, and Charoen Pokphand Foods Philippines Corporation.The agreement seeks to give cooperative members a stable market and a fixed pricing mechanism for their corn. For farmers, that structure is meant to buffer them from sudden market fluctuations and provide more predictable income after months of work in the field.Research and the long viewAlso, the DA awarded a congressional recommendation for the establishment of the country’s first Corn Research Institute in Ilagan, citing the city’s strategic location and its contribution to national corn production.If established, the proposed institute is expected to strengthen research, innovation, and technology development for the corn industry. For Isabela’s growers, that could mean development of varieties suited to local soil and climate, improved drying and storage methods, and data that can help farmers plan planting and harvest cycles with more precision.DA Undersecretary Roger Navarro said the Icorn Complex reflects the administration’s continuing commitment to food security by investing in modern agriculture facilities and empowering local farmers through improved support services.He emphasized that agricultural modernization remains a priority to ensure a sustainable food supply and to enhance the competitiveness of Filipino farmers.