A multipurpose cooperative started the construction for the 584-square meter rice mill facility, which is funded under the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), in the town of Llanera, Nueva Ecija on 26 January 2026.

The Villa Bar Primary Multi-purpose Cooperative started the construction of the 584-square-meter rice mill facility, and received new farm machinery and vehicles from the government agency.

The new facility and equipment form part of the cooperative’s P65-million aromatic rice common service facility and marketing enterprise subproject, designed to improve the processing, handling, and marketing of locally grown aromatic rice.

By providing essential custom services—from milling to transport—the subproject directly supports smallholder farmers in increasing productivity, reducing post-harvest losses, and gaining better access to markets.

Once operational, the rice mill facility is expected to directly benefit 40 aromatic rice farmers and 42 regular rice farmers, while creating wider opportunities for the community through strengthened cooperative operations.

This subproject reinforces Nueva Ecija’s role as a major rice-producing province while ensuring that growth reaches farmers at the grassroots level.

The milestone activity was spearheaded by the Villa Bar PMPC chaired by Prescila Laurian with the support of DA-PRDP Central Luzon led by Action Officer Maricel Dullas, PhD, Provincial Government represented by Acting Provincial Agriculturist Jovita Agliam, PhD, and Municipal Government headed by Mayor Marilou Lapuz-Pascual, RPh, PhD.