AGRI-ECONOMIC ZONES
Minda has identified 7 pilot areas for Agri-economic Zones (AEZs) in Mindanao.
Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) reported that they already identified seven pilot areas for Agri-economic Zones (AEZs) and their potential crops to be developed through public-private partnership.
The pilot areas are Agusan del Sur, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga Sibugay.
Minda Project Development Division head Joan Barrera told reporters during Habi at Kape media forum yesterday, March 20, 2019, that the project has completed its conceptualization framework and that they are still trying to attract more investors for partnership.
“It is an integrated area development,” she said, adding that the AEZs will have Agro-trading Centers (ATCs) which will be supported with infrastructures such as farm to market roads and other support from the private sector.
Barrera further said that AEZs manufacturing area will depend on where the LGUs will decide it to be located. In Agusan del Sur, 45 hectares (ha.) was allocated; around 25 ha in Basilan; around 25 ha in Lanao del Sur; 35 ha in Maguindanao; 52 ha in Zamboanga del Norte; 40 ha in Zamboanga del Sur; and 409 ha in Zamboanga Sibugay.
Barrera said that while they identified potential crops based on the existing prevalent agricultural produce in these areas, they do not limit the private sector to manufacture other crop.
“When we conducted the conceptualization of AEZs, we did not prescribe them what type of crop processing they should focus to because it is a chance for the province or the LGUs to innovate and develop their own products and really work with the private sectors,” Project Development Division officer Yvette Valderia said.
Agusan del Sur's potential crops are cacao processing, rubber processing, and banana; in Basilan, they have rubber and coconut; in Lanao del Sur, they have abaca and coconut; in Maguindanao, they have coconut oil and palm; in Zamboanbga del Norte, they have rubber and coconut; and Zamboanga del sur, they have cassava, coconut and banana; and in Zamboanga sibugay, they have rubber, coconut and seaweed.