THE modern rice pocessing center in Dumangas, Iloilo. (DA Western Visayas)
ILOILO CITY — The National Food Authority, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, recently opened a P347-million modern rice processing center in Iloilo.
DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and NFA Administrator Larry R. Lacson led the July 15 inauguration in Dumangas. It is the first facility opened under the P93-billion Masagana Agri-Food Infrastructure Modernization Program.
The facility has a modern warehouse, a multi-pass rice mill that can handle 10 tons per hour, and a mechanical grain drying system with a capacity of 240 tons per day .
“Modern post-harvest facilities allow the NFA to procure more palay, cut post-harvest losses, improve grain quality, and build stronger buffer stocks,” said Tiu.
“Every bag we save and every bag we procure strengthens the country’s ability to keep rice affordable and available, especially during supply disruptions,” added Tiu.
The facility will serve Western Visayas’ rice industry, particularly Iloilo as the region’s top rice-producing province.
Also present were Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr., Dumangas Mayor Braeden Biron, DA Western Visayas Regional Director Dennis Arpia, and acting Provincial Agriculturist Geron Magbanua.