MARAMAG, Bukidnon (PIA)--The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-NorMin) recently turned over a P2.7 million recirculating rice dryer to the Dagumbaan Communal Irrigators Association (DCIA) in Maramag town.

The DCIA farmers, who till 429 hectares of rice, will benefit from new farm machinery, funded through the Enhanced Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Inclusive Food Supply Chain Program for local government units and cooperatives.

"Rainy days make this dryer necessary. Without it, our palay rots, losing value and buyers," said DCIA president Romar Ramos.

He said their organization will allocate funds from collections and earnings to sustain the operations and maintain the facility.

Carlene Collado, DA-NorMin regional executive director, said the project grant aligns with the DA's goal of upgrading the agriculture industry for higher production.

"The new 6.2-ton dryer, capable of drying palay in just 8 hours, will help rice farmers reduce postharvest losses by replacing sun drying with a mechanical method," he said.

Collado disclosed that the DCIA recently acquired from DA NorMin a new farm tractor and rice harvester, which both equipment eased tasks like plowing and crop transport while cutting reaping time and labor.

The DCIA received a separate grant from the DA's Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), which bolstered farmers' capabilities. It included a new farm tractor, an additional rice combine harvester, and a composting facility to enhance farmers' postharvest handling. 

In addition to the DA support, the association proactively addressed its growing needs by acquiring a new rice combine harvester. 

The DA-NorMin reported that it also provided recirculating rice dryers to farmers' associations in Malaybalay City, Valencia City, including Kitaotao, Sumilao, and Kalilangan towns in Bukidnon province. Lagonglong town in Misamis Oriental also received similar recirculating dryers.

DA-10 Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief Janet Lopez and Maramag municipal agriculturist Armand dela Cruz stressed farmers' need to embrace modern agricultural technologies for inclusive growth.

Representatives from the National Irrigation Administration, PhilMech, and Philippine Crops Insurance Corporation attended the turnover ceremony coinciding with the DCIA's general assembly in Maramag town. (DA-10/PIA 10/Bukidnon)