MANILA – Aklan has taken a step toward modernizing its agriculture sector following the launch of the construction of smart greenhouse facilities under the Value Chain Enhancement of High-Value Crops through Smart Agriculture (VEHCSA) Project.

The Department of Agriculture (DA), in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), led the groundbreaking ceremony on January 23, 2026 at the Aklan Agri-Aqua Demo Farm and Training Center in Barangay Nalook, Kalibo.

The ceremony marked the start of Aklan’s flagship smart greenhouse facility, which is designed to demonstrate climate-resilient and high-efficiency production systems for vegetables and other high-value crops. The project aims to introduce appropriate smart farming technologies, increase productivity and income for smallholder farmers, and serve as a model for similar initiatives in the region. Comparable facilities are also set to be established in Antique, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.

Funded by KOICA with a total budget of USD 8 million, the VEHCSA Project will be implemented from November 2023 to December 2027. It focuses on the production of high-value crops such as cherry tomato, lettuce, honeydew melon, cucumber, bell pepper, herbs, chives, and sesame leaf.

DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the project is expected to have long-term benefits for farmers and rural communities.

“This project is an investment in our farmers’ future — improving productivity, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods,” Tiu Laurel said.

He added that the project will help generate more opportunities in rural areas, strengthen the high-value crops sector, and deliver sustained benefits through collaboration with local governments, farmers’ organizations, and development partners.

Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores said the province is the first in Western Visayas to implement the project, noting its potential to strengthen food security, support Boracay’s tourism demand, and benefit local farmers and communities. He also cited challenges in preparing the site, which was previously a fishpond, and committed continued support from the provincial government.

Republic of Korea Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Lee Sang-hwa said the project represents a shared vision for the future of agriculture.

“We are breaking ground not just on infrastructure, but on a shared vision — a resilient and inclusive agricultural future,” Lee said.

He added that the project will equip communities with tools and opportunities to strengthen local economies and improve livelihoods.

The ceremony also featured the turnover of a refrigerated van to project beneficiaries to support post-harvest handling and cold chain systems, as well as a time capsule activity and a shovel ceremony to formally mark the start of construction.

DA Regional Field Office VI Regional Executive Director Dennis R. Arpia thanked KOICA and the Korean government, saying the partnership helps strengthen agricultural value chains, boost productivity, and benefit farmers, cooperatives, and other local stakeholders. He said DA-RFO VI is committed to sustaining the project’s gains to ensure long-term impact and resilience.

With construction now underway, the smart greenhouse facility in Aklan is expected to modernize agricultural production, increase farmers’ income, and serve as a model for high-value crop development in Western Visayas and the Negros Island Region.