Over 1,700 Rice Machines Deployed Nationwide in First Half of 2026

More than 1,700 rice machines were deployed nationwide in the first half of 2026, the Department of Agriculture's Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) announced. This deployment represents nearly 76 percent of the 2,289 units procured under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF). The machinery, which includes 900 four-wheel tractors, 700 combine harvesters, 95 recirculating dryers, and 36 precision seeders, benefited 1,238 farmers' cooperatives, associations, and local government units as of June 30. PHilMech stated that the procurement of all machinery funded under its 2025 budget is complete, with the remaining units slated for distribution. "Mechanization lowers labor costs, speeds up critical farm operations and minimizes losses from planting to postharvest. These improvements translate directly into higher productivity, better grain quality and increased incomes for our rice farmers," said PHilMech Executive Director Dionisio Alvindia. This latest rollout builds upon the gains of the RCEF mechanization program, launched in 2019. During its initial phase, PHilMech distributed 32,990 production and postharvest machines to 7,588 farmer groups and LGUs. With the current deployment, the total number of machines distributed nationwide has reached 34,721. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized, "Mechanization is also becoming increasingly important as our farming population ages. Modern equipment allows our farmers to continue cultivating their land with less physical strain while helping address labor shortages during planting and harvest." Source: GMA News Philippines