The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has extended P455,000 worth of assistance to a rice mill in Zamboanga del Norte to upgrade its equipment and improve its milling capacity.
The DOST-IX identified Myka Rice Mill, which is located in the municipality of Pres. M.A. Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte, as the latest recipient of the grant under the agency’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).
It said with the funding, the rice mill is expected to be upgraded and that additional equipment will be procured.
The assistance “is set to improve milling capacity of up to 1,000 kg (kilogram) of palay per hour, compared to the previous 385 kg/hr output.”
Currently, Myka Rice Mill is the sole rice milling facility operating in the municipality but also caters to neighboring areas like Manukan and Katipunan, the DOST-IX said.
Aside from the aid, a training on equipment operation and maintenance as well as proper plant layout and 5S Good Housekeeping training were also conducted as part of the SETUP package of assistance.
"Prior to the DOST intervention, the proponent experienced increased overhead costs, frequent delays, as well as issues on opportunity loss and quality degradation especially during peak season. With the acquisition of the rice mill and other modern equipment, the operations of Myka Rice Mill greatly improved,” the DOST-IX said.
The SETUP is one of the DOST’s flagship programs that helps improve the productivity and competitiveness of local entrepreneurs through the adoption of technology-based interventions.
The priority sectors of the program are Food processing, Furniture, Gifts, housewares, decors, Agriculture/Marine/Aquaculture, Metals and engineering, and Others (including information and communications technology (ICT), pharmaceuticals and health products).