ILOILO CITY - - The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday turned over to farmers in Barangay Cabano, San Lorenzo, Guimaras a rice processing center and one unit of rice thresher.
The PHP5.9-million rice processing center came with a 300 square meter warehouse complete with drainage and electrical system; one multi pass rice mill with one ton per hour milling capacity and 65 percent minimum milling recovery; and one unit of recirculating dryer with six tons holding capacity and 90.5 percent drying efficiency. The rice thresher meanwhile costs around PHP1 million.
These projects benefited some 30 farmers who are members of the Guimaras Seed Growers Multipurpose Cooperative.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pińol , who graced the turn over Wednesday morning, said that the projects are just the beginning of the many more projects to be provided to the farmers as the government pushes for farm mechanization and improved agriculture production.
He added that the farmers in the island province are currently facing problems in their production thus, he wanted to provide them their needs.
He said he is initially planning to provide each of the five towns of the province one unit of harvester, which could help the farmers minimize production losses.
He also vowed to help farmers acquire hybrid rice so they can increase their production. (PNA)
