malaysiangA local government unit (LGU) in Occidental Mindoro will be getting a PHP60-million rice processing system (RPS) which will help improve farming processes. In a statement Monday, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) reported that the municipality of Rizal will get a one-unit multi-stage rice mill and two units of mechanical dryers. The RPS would be awarded to the town after the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with PHilMech on Aug. 3. ‘This project is a complementation effort of PHilMech and the LGU (local government unit) of Rizal, which aims to reduce postharvest losses among the farmers’ produce, improve the rice processing system in the province, and make the state-of-the-art facilities in drying and milling to the farmers,’ PHilMech said. PHilMech director Dr. Dionisio Alvindia Jr. earlier said the distribution of RPS under the RCEF-Mechanization Program will allow qualified farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) and LGUs to enter the rice value chain and directly market their milled rice to consumers. ‘The last three years of the RCEF-Mechanization Program, or from 2022 to 2024, will focus more on the distribution of more post-harvest or drying equipment and milling facilities, which will allow qualified FCAs and LGUs to enter the rice value chain,’ he said. PHilMech is implementing the RPS under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Mechanization Program. Rizal has previously been awarded PHP46 million worth of agricultural machinery at no cost under the RCEF-Mechanization Program. PHilMech interim director for operations Joel Dator and Rizal Mayor Ernesto Pablo Jr. led the signing of the pact, together with PHilMech Facility Management and Field Operations Division Luzon C cluster head engineer Niño Bengosta and municipal agriculturist Jehu Michael Barrientos as witnesses. Under Republic Act 11203, the RCEF-Mechanization program gets a PHP5 billion fund per year from 2019 to 2024 for the provision of farm machines and equipment to qualified FCAs and LGUs
Source: Philippines News Agency
