BUSINESS
P65.6-M rice facility to cut farm losses
‘This investment will give our farmers greater control over how their palay is dried, milled and processed, reducing their dependence on outside service providers while helping preserve grain quality. More importantly, it will allow them to retain more value from their harvest and improve their earnings.’
The government’s push to make locally-produced rice more competitive is behind its P65.6 million investment in a modern processing facility in Nueva Ecjia which would help farmers cut production costs, minimize postharveset losses and improve their earnings.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Saturday that the facility would give rice growers access to modern milling and drying equipment, reducing their dependence on commercial processors while allowing them to retain more value from their harvests.
Mechanization technologies
Under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program, mechanization technologies are estimated to reduce production costs by P2 to P3 per kilogram, while appropriate postharvest equipment can cut losses by 3 to 5 percent.
The facility, turned over to the Talabutab Norte Primary Multipurpose Cooperative in General Mamerto Natividad, is expected to benefit farmers in the municipality and surrounding communities, where 11,219 growers are cultivating a combined 21,418 hectares of agricultural land.
Giving farmers greater control
“This investment will give our farmers greater control over how their palay is dried, milled, and processed, reducing their dependence on outside service providers while helping preserve grain quality,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel. “More importantly, it will allow them to retain more value from their harvest and improve their earning potential.”
The investment includes a P54.7-million multi-stage rice mill capable of processing two to three tons per hour and three mechanical dryers worth P10.88 million, with a combined drying capacity of 24 tons per batch.
The equipment is designed to improve processing efficiency and grain quality through automated cleaning, hulling, polishing, grading, color sorting and packaging.
Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization director Dionisio Alvindia said the agency would provide continuing technical support to ensure farmers maximize the facility’s benefits.
Appropriate training and enterprise development
“PhilMech will continue to support its beneficiaries through appropriate training and enterprise development activities to help them maximize the use of these facilities and ensure the sustainability of their operations,” Alvindia said.
Under Republic Act 12078, the RCEF Mechanization Program has been extended until 2031, with its annual funding increased to P9 billion from P5 billion to support wider access to agricultural machinery and postharvest facilities.