To strengthen effective program implementation, address key challenges, and formulate a comprehensive action and budget proposal for the National Corn Program implementation in the coming year, the Department of Agriculture – National Corn Program (DA-NCP) conducted its 2027 Strategic Planning Workshop in Subic, Zambales on January 26 to 30, 2026.
The said workshop was attended by corn program focal persons from all regions, along with representatives from private companies and livestock focal units, who actively participated in the discussions to ensure alignment across sectors. The NCP emphasized a more needs-based and farmer-responsive approach, focusing on:
- Strengthening corn clusters,
- Increasing not only overall production but also yield per hectare,
- Establishing and maximizing soil laboratories to test farmers’ soil samples, ensuring the application of the appropriate and recommended fertilizers, and
- Enhancing and supporting corn processing facilities to add value and improve market opportunities for farmers.
The DA-NCP is exploring a proposed investment to support the potential establishment of modern corn post-harvest facilities. The proposed initiative is intended to address post-harvest inefficiencies, improve grain quality, and contribute to enhanced productivity and income opportunities for corn farmers, subject to further assessment, prioritization, and approval. ### (Kristel Joyce Merle, AFID)
