Cold chain support for food security sought

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday appealed to the Cold Chain Association of the Philippines (CCAP) to support the Department of Agriculture (DA)'s efforts to accelerate the development of cold storage infrastructure, which is a central component of the government's food security agenda.

- By CHRISTINE BOTON

Speaking at CCAP's annual membership meeting in Malay, Aklan, Tiu Laurel emphasized the importance of cold storage facilities in modernizing agriculture and improving food security.

"It is a foundation for transforming the agricultural landscape, minimizing post-harvest losses, increasing incomes for farmers and fisherfolk and delivering safe, high-quality food to Filipino families," he said.

Tiu Laurel said the DA is fast-tracking the expansion of cold chain infrastructure through the roll-out of modular and mega cold storage warehouses (CSWs) in key agricultural regions. These facilities are designed to be scalable and adaptable to local conditions while maintaining operational efficiency.