Antique: Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized the significance of the recent investment in the rice processing system (RPS) in Antique, highlighting its role in advancing food security. This development is part of a broader initiative to bolster the agricultural sector in the Philippines.
According to Philippines News Agency, the announcement followed an inspection of the PHP94.8-million RPS at Barangay Poblacion 5 in Hamtic, Antique, conducted by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Department of Agriculture chief. In his statement, Tiu Laurel asserted that the RPS, managed by the Hamtic Multi-Purpose Cooperative, is poised to enhance the profitability of local rice producers while supporting the government's overarching mission for a food-secure nation.
Tiu Laurel remarked: "This investment provides our rice farmers in Antique with the tools necessary to increase productivity and improve their quality of life, aligning with the Marcos administration's focused efforts on achieving national food security." The RPS is designed to elevate the quality of rice and secure better market prices for farmers, thereby contributing to the economic upliftment of the local agricultural community.
The rice processing system is expected to significantly improve palay's (unhusked rice) recovery rate, minimize post-harvest losses, and enhance milling efficiency. It features a PHP54.7-million multi-stage rice mill capable of processing two to three tons per hour, along with two mechanical dryers valued at PHP6.18 million, each capable of handling six tons per batch. The system also includes a PHP25.9-million warehouse and operations building, and an equipment package comprising a hauling truck, forklift, weighing scale, and moisture meter.
Funded under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, the RPS was constructed by the Department of Agriculture's Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), symbolizing a critical step forward in modernizing the rice production infrastructure in Antique.
