THE ISABELA State University will help set up a food processing plant and slaughterhouse in the province.

The project dubbed ‘Establishment of food processing facility for sustainable commercialization of chevon-based technologies’ is in partnership with Agricom Best Foods Corporation and will help start a sustainable value chain on goat in Region 2.

It also aims to enhance and accelerate the commercialization of chevon products, conduct studies for the expansion of market, and promote goat production among farmer cooperatives.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Villa Basilia, Sta. Filomena, San Mariano, Isabela on Monday among representatives of the institutions.

“With this development, it is expected that more than 1000 goat raisers in the region will be benefitted from the operation of the food facility… it is hope that it will be helpful in providing income and creating job opportunities in the rural areas, while addressing food sufficiency in our country,” ISU said on its website.

A total of P3.9 million grant was given by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development for the project.

The Agricom Best Foods, on the other hand, invested a total of P10.4 million for the training and organization of goat raisers across the region.

ISU said the project is the fruit of the long partnership of the university with the Agricomponent Corporation starting in 2015.

The initial partnership of the two institutions is for the commercialization of various chevron products which was the foundation of the establishment of the company’s goat agribusiness.