Manila, March 12 -- Officials and residents in Ilocos Norte welcomed the opening of the first and largest agricultural trading center in Barangay Bil-loca, Batac City, on Thursday.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) funded the PHP30-million project, which provides dedicated space for accredited farmers' associations and cooperatives to reduce transport costs, promote local products, and connect them directly with institutional buyers.

Wilfredo Valdez, a farmer-leader from Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, said the newly opened trading center inspires them to plant more high-value products that are in demand in the market.

"The opening of the center is a big deal for us farmers in the province. We now have an accessible place to market our produc...