Farmers credit modern agri facilities for higher incomes
GUIMBA, Nueva Ecija — Around 1.2 million Filipino rice farmers are experiencing increased earnings with the help of modern rice processing systems (RPS) and farm machinery provided by the government, according to the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization.
Farmers in Nueva Ecija shared that access to post-harvest facilities has allowed them to sell palay (unhusked rice) at better prices compared to previous years.
Sally Rihad, a farmer for three decades, said government-provided drying and milling facilities significantly improved their income over the past two years. She recalled that before, traders would buy fresh palay at only ₱14 to ₱15 per kilogram, sometimes dropping to ₱10 during the rainy season.
Today, prices have risen to around ₱18 to ₱19 per kilogram, with some reaching as high as ₱26, greatly benefiting farmers.
Nora Angeles, general manager of the Bantug Agriculture Multipurpose Cooperative, also expressed gratitude to Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the implementation of the RPS program.
She explained that with access to the facility, their cooperative can now buy fresh palay from members at higher prices—around ₱26 to ₱27 per kilogram—and sell processed rice at better market rates, depending on quality and variety.
Before the introduction of RPS, fresh palay prices ranged only from ₱14 to ₱18 per kilogram, while dry palay sold at around ₱23.
Angeles added that the cooperative’s improved buying capacity enables members to earn more while ensuring a steady rice supply distributed across different parts of the country.
PhilMech Director Dionisio Alvindia said the agency is accelerating the rollout of additional RPS facilities to reach more rice farmers nationwide.
He noted that about 1.2 million farmers have already benefited from PhilMech programs, including access to machinery and post-harvest facilities, with over 8,000 farmer cooperatives supported.
Of the 151 RPS units funded under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), 64 are currently operational across 40 locations, while the remaining 87 are expected to be completed by June.
Aside from rice mills and drying systems, the government has also distributed various farm equipment such as tractors, tillers, seeders, threshers, and irrigation pumps.
The initiative aligns with the administration’s goal of improving farmer welfare while strengthening food security and ensuring affordable rice for consumers.
NPO News Team | Philippine News Agency - PR
