DA-PhilMech and the Provincial Government of Bukidnon holds a groundbreaking ceremony for the P101.5-M grains center in Valencia City, Bukidnon.

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A P101.5 million grains center will soon provide services to the milling needs of the farmers in Bukidnon and its neighboring areas with its groundbreaking on Monday, February 19 in Sinabuagan, Valencia City, Bukidnon.

Bukidnon Provincial Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque with DA-PhilMech Facility Management and Field Operations Division (FMFOD) Chief Mayville B. Castro with Valencia City Mayor Azucenas P. Huervas led the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the groundbreaking of the said project.

Witnessing the MOA signing are DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, DA-PhilMech Mindanao A Cluster Head, Engr. Edgar Testa, Vice Governor Clive D. Quiño and Acting Provincial Agriculturist Jacqueline Julia A. Lagamon.

The Provincial Government of Bukidnon, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech) availed the Rice Processing System (RPS) II facility under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) mechanization program to establish a grains center in the province.

Of the P101.5 million, the DA-Philmech allocates P61.5 million for the rice processing system while the PLGU Bukidnon counterparts the P40 million for building construction.

The PLGU Bukidnon will directly manage and operate the grains center which will be situated in barangay Sinabuagan of said city.

With the RPS package, the province will be provided with state-of-the-art components that include a 1-unit 4-5 tons per hour rice mill with mist polisher, length grader, and color sorter.

The RPS package also includes four units of 6 tons per batch of mechanical recirculating dryers.

Said project aims to minimize post-harvest losses of rice in the province and to increase the income of rice farmers by buying their palay at a reasonable price.# (ATC/Engr. IMadjus/Photos:DA-PhilMech)