PRDP projects to boost Ecija farmers’ productivity

STO. DOMINGO, Nueva Ecija – Two infrastructure projects of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) are seen to boost the productivity of the farmers in the province by easing the transport and storage of their produce.

According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), the PRDP’s mother unit, the first project is the P55-million Sto. Domingo Bridge, which will connect the barangays of Hulo, Malaya and Dolores.

The 60-meter-long and 5.6-meter-wide bridge is already 26.23 percent complete and is set to open this June.

“Once completed, the bridge will be open to traveling public and will benefit mostly the residents, motorists and farmers to help ease transportation,” Rural Infrastructure Engineer Jun Clinton Gonzales said.

The two-lane bridge will increase the traffic volume in the area by 57 percent and help spur economic growth and mobilization in the town of Sto. Domingo.

“Hopefully, the bridge project, which is designed to safely support safe and economical access will provide hassle-free travel specifically to farmers going to their production areas,” said Gonzales.

Meanwhile, a P4.9-million Post-Harvest Facility for Aromatic Pigmented Rice is being constructed in the town of Carranglan. The facility is being constructed thru the Enterprise Component and is now 65 percent physically completed and will operate by next year.

According to Rural Infrastructure Engineer Bon Alexis Guatato, the facility will be used for the hauling, milling, and marketing of aromatic pigmented rice to be sold in several stores in Carranglan and nearby depots in San Jose City.

The facility will include a rice mill, weighing scales, moisture meter, pallets, trading capital, transport facility for hauling and delivery, and other equipment for milling processes. The facility is expected to increase the sale of locally produced aromatic rice by at least 20 percent for the next 10 years to help the farmers market their produce at a reasonable price.

This project of DA-PRDP is geared towards ensuring stable rice supply while augmenting the income of farmers.

p: wjg