The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to improve and enhance economic activities in the countryside with the establishment of more farm-to-market roads (FMRs) under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or “Bayanihan 2”.

This was stressed by Agriculture Secretary William Dar during the opening of the 11.91-kilometer FMR along Jose Mencio in Atok, Benguet.

“The FMR project is a very important investment, which will propel a 60 percent rate of improvement in moving produce from the production area to the trading centers,” Dar explained.

The Atok road project, with a total cost of P202.34 million and funded under the Philippine Rural Development Project, will benefit 11,825 individuals from 2,561 households in the barangays of Caliking, Topdac, Poblacioan, Abiang, Naguey, and Pasdong.

The DA chief announced that following the opening of the improved FMR, coffee production in Atok is projected to increase by 20 percent annually.

The FMR will also support the efficient transportation of other commodities coming from the municipality including heirloom rice, chayote, cabbage, carrots, white potato, and taro among others.

“It will significantly reduce postharvest losses by 10%, decrease travel time by 58%, and increase traffic count by 30%,” the agri chief said.

He added that the project will enhance economic activities, not only in Atok but in other Benguet towns.

“Mas gaganda na ang inyong buhay dahil may maganda ng daan na magagamit para madala ang inyong mga produkto sa market areas,” Secretary Dar said.

The agri chief underscored that the government will continue to invest in the construction of farm to market roads so that farmers can bring quality produce to the market centers.

Out of the P24 billion (B) budget awarded to the DA under the Bayanihan Act, P5B has been set aside for the construction of FMRs. ### (Adora Rodriguez, DA-AFID)