Cabanatuan: The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the country's first agricultural machinery complex, set to rise in Nueva Ecija, will further advance long-term food security and generate more jobs for Filipinos. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the groundbreaking ceremony for the multi-phased Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Complex (KAMIC) on Wednesday, which will serve as the country's first full-scale agri-manufacturing complex.
According to Philippines News Agency, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa explained in a phone interview Thursday that the multi-billion-peso worth KAMIC will benefit various sectors in the agriculture industry. He emphasized that sectors such as rice, corn, and high-value crops will see advantages since their products require agricultural equipment like tractors, harvesters, cultivators, rice mills, and corn mills.
De Mesa highlighted that the complex is poised to create job opportunities for thousands of Filipinos, spanning from construction to the completion of its three-year phases starting in 2026, especially in assembly, fabrication, and engineering. Initially, the project is expected to employ about 3,000 to 5,000 individuals, expanding to up to 10,000 hires once fully operational, with job openings anticipated in the second or third quarter of next year.
The development will unfold in three phases: Phase 1 involves the Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) Assembly, followed by Phase 2 with the Completely Knocked Down (CKD) Assembly, and culminating in Phase 3 with the Manufacturing Assembly. The DA previously noted that the 20-hectare site will facilitate technology transfers and enhance the skills of Filipinos through South Korean practices.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. remarked that this initiative marks a significant milestone. It represents the creation of not merely a distribution hub for imported machines, but a comprehensive local manufacturing ecosystem tailored to the Philippines' agricultural needs. He stressed that technology transfer from South Korea will elevate workforce skills and make mechanization accessible to small and medium-scale farmers.
In the long term, Tiu Laurel stated that the complex's operations will support the administration's food security objectives. The machinery complex is envisioned as the cornerstone of a modern, competitive, and secure Philippine agriculture, promising increased rice productivity, reduced machinery and spare parts costs, and the formation of new supply chains.
The KAMIC project will be realized in collaboration with the local government unit of Cabanatuan City and the Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Cooperative (KAMICO).
