The Department of Agriculture (DA) is targeting to begin construction of stalled farm-to-market roads (FMRs) by August, as the agency takes over the projects from previous implementers, Philstar Biz reported.
The DA said the takeover is meant to accelerate the completion of FMRs that had been delayed due to various issues, including right-of-way problems and contractor disputes. The agency has identified priority projects across several provinces and is finalizing the list for bidding.
Farm-to-market roads are critical infrastructure for the agricultural sector, enabling farmers to transport produce more efficiently and reduce post-harvest losses. The DA's intervention aims to address bottlenecks that have hindered rural development and food security.