TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) have inaugurated a rice processing facility to empower farmers and boost agricultural productivity in Naguilian, Isabela.
The facility, funded through a partnership among the DA, PhilMech, and the Providers Multipurpose Cooperative (MPC), is designed to enhance farmers’ postharvest capabilities, increase income, and strengthen food security in the region.
The initiative, under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Component, addresses the longstanding challenges rice farmers face in processing and drying their harvests, which often leads to losses and lower income due to reliance on traders.
“With this new system, our farmers can now process and dry their rice, adding value to their harvests and increasing their market competitiveness,” remarked Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. during the inauguration.
He further said that the project will not only help boost farm productivity but also uplift the lives of our farmers and their families.
The facility will benefit 759 farmer-members of the Providers MPC, which contributed P69.94 million for site development, operational capital, trucks, and other rice mill accessories.
PhilMech allocated P65.025 million for a rice mill with a capacity of 2-3 tons per hour, a recirculating dryer with a 6-ton capacity, and two additional dryers with a 12-ton capacity each. Meanwhile, the DA contributed P49.5 million for the construction of two processing buildings.
The facility stands as a testament to the commitment of the DA and PhilMech to modernizing the agricultural sector, improving food security, and promoting sustainable development in rural communities.
“With better access to postharvest technology, farmers in Isabela are now empowered to build resilience, generate higher income, and contribute to the overall growth of the country’s rice industry,” Laurel emphasized.
The ceremony was attended by local officials, including Deputy Speaker Antonio Albano, DA Region 2 Executive Director Rose Mary G. Aquino, and other key figures, highlighting the collaboration between national government agencies and local cooperatives in driving grassroots development. (MFJ/PIA Region 2)
