TUBOD, LANAO DEL NORTE, July 21 (PIA)— The Lanao del Norte Convergence Agro-Enterprise Cluster (LCAEC) is projected to develop at least 17,500 hectares of land for various commodities.

It is also expected to generate about 17,500 jobs through the implementation of the local convergence agro-enterprise cluster plan in nine municipalities.

This was the message of Gov. Kahlid Q. Dimaporo as announced by the Provincial Administrator Joselito Quibranza during today’s launching of the project, here at the Mindanao Civic Center.

In his message read by the Administrator, the Governor said “The convergence of the three rural development agencies, the Department of Agriculture,  Department of Agrarian Reform, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DA-DAR-DENR) will serve as the reckoning point of translating the vision of the province to come into reality.”

Included in the convergence are the municipalities of Sapad, Pantar, Tagoloan, Baloi, Matungao, Linamon under Royale Cluster 1 and Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND), Sapad, Kapatagan and Nunungan under Mt. Inayawan-Illana Bay Cluster 2.

The estimated total investment is PhP1.74 billion and an income of PhP563.95 million with a Return on Investment (ROI) at 48 percent and payback period of two (2) years.

The per capita income is estimated at PhP32,226.00 which is almost 50 percent higher than the provincial average per capita income of PhP15,939 which was PhP18,073 in 2009, according to National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB).

Quibranza added, for 2011, the DA-DAR-DENR is committed to mobilize the resources requirements for the implementation of the LNCAE Cluster with a total investment requirement amounting to PhP1.18 billion for 2011 to 2016 involving 12 commodity clusters.

The investment plan includes various support from these agencies such as production support, infrastructure, post-harvest facilities and processing, capability building, and marketing information, Quibranza said. (PIA 10)