By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday visited the Metro Pacific Fresh Farms (MPFF), the country’s first and largest greenhouse facility, in San Rafael, Bulacan.
Marcos’ visit came more than two months after Metro Pacific Agro Ventures Inc. (MPAV) opened Phase 1 of the MPFF, a 22-hectare vegetable greenhouse complex in San Rafael town.
The visit is also in line with his administration’s commitment to agricultural innovation, food security, and rural development.
The President, accompanied by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., was also seen eating fresh produce from the greenhouse facility.
The first phase of the MPFF is composed of six greenhouses covering 3.5 hectares of the property, with a capacity to produce 500 metric tons of fresh vegetables annually.
The greenhouses aim to transform local vegetable production through innovative and tech-driven farming, significantly surpassing traditional farms in yield and stability.
The MPFF uses nutrient film technique (NFT) greenhouse technology for leafy vegetables to harvest 60,000 lettuce heads per month, or 144 metric tons per year of fresh greens alone.
Apart from NFT, an Israeli technology for drip irrigation is also utilized to reduce water and land use by 90%, minimize chemical inputs and ensure year-round production of high-quality vegetables.
The Bulacan greenhouse facility also produces melons and tomatoes, among others.
MPAV, a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) led by Manuel Pangilinan, is eyeing a total of 10 vegetable greenhouse facilities to be built in other parts of the country.
MPAV’s plan is to establish at least two greenhouse satellites every year.
The initiative seeks to address supply instability and high input costs by providing a reliable source of produce for businesses and consumers.
MPAV is selling its farm produce branded as “More Veggies Please” in supermarkets in Metro Manila.
