THE National Food Authority (NFA) said it inaugurated a modern post-harvest facility for grains in Dumangas, Iloilo worth P355.4 million, with construction of similar facilities being accelerated to ensure the Philippines maintains resilient rice reserve.
The Dumangas facility features a modern warehouse equipped with a mill that can process 10 tons of palay (unmilled rice) per hour and a mechanical dryer with throughput of 240 tons of palay per day.
The facility is expected to benefit rice farmers and their associations in Dumangas, Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Dueñas, San Enrique, and Passi City.
The NFA expects the facility to enable the purchase of an additional 3,600 bags of palay daily or about 324,000 bags over two crop seasons, against the average annual procurement of 281,728 bags over the past five years.
Agriculture Secretary and NFA Council Chairman Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said modern post-harvest facilities will allow the NFA to procure more palay, cut post-harvest losses, improve grain quality, and build stronger rice reserves.
“Every bag we procure strengthens the country’s ability to keep rice affordable and available, especially during supply disruptions,” Mr. Laurel said in a statement issued by the NFA.
NFA Administrator Larry R. Lacson called the Dumangas facility an investment in productivity and food security, as well as a major upgrade in procurement operations in the Western Visayas.
“Modern equipment allows us to buy more palay, reduce waste, and move grain into our buffer stocks faster,” Mr. Lacson said.
“Farmers gain a dependable buyer, while consumers benefit from a stronger and more reliable rice supply,” he added. — Marron Joshua F. Mendoza
