P74.4-M Rice Processing Facility Opens in Cabanatuan, Aims to Boost Farmer Income

The Department of Agriculture (DA) inaugurated a rice processing facility in Cabanatuan City on Thursday, which was built with P74.4 million in funding from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF). The facility includes a state-of-the-art multi-stage rice mill with a capacity of 4 to 5 tons per hour and three recirculating dryers, each with a capacity of 12 tons per batch. The DA turned over the facility to the city government of Cabanatuan through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization. It is expected to benefit 4,060 farmers cultivating about 8,976 hectares of rice in the city. The RCEF Mechanization Program gives farm and post-harvest equipment to eligible farmers’ cooperatives and associations and local government units to improve productivity, profitability, and competitiveness. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said the facility will help speed up drying and milling, reduce post-harvest losses, improve rice quality, and increase farmer incomes. — Marron Joshua F. Mendoza