Aggie NorMin, PhilMech hands Php83.21-M agri projects to MisOr LGUs, farmers coops

Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental – A total of Php83.21million worth of agricultural projects was turned over by the Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (Aggie NorMin) and the Phillippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) to the Local Government Units (LGUs) and farmer cooperatives in Misamis Oriental, Thursday, June 4.

Consistent with the DA’s goal to revolutionize the country’s local agriculture system, a Php69.48 million Rice Processing System II (RPS II) was officially inaugurated and turned over to the First Community Cooperative (FICCO) by the PhilMech.

Funded under the mechanization component of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), the Agay-ayan
RPS featured a fully automated multi-stage rice mill with 2-3 ton per hour capacity, and four (4) recirculating dryers – two (2) 12-ton, and two (2) 6-ton per batch drying capacity.

The said project is seen to enhance local farmers’ livelihood and cooperative’s economic sustainability by improving agricultural productivity and efficiency, and reducing postharvest losses

With the RPS, FICCO may be able to buy farmers’ palay at a competitive price, and sell milled rice at an affordable price to local consumers.

Through its Rice Program, the DA-10 also turned over various agricultural interventions valued at Php13.72 million which includes farm equipment, fertilizer and hybrid rice seeds to LGUs and rice farmer cooperatives and associations in Misamis Oriental.

The inauguration and turnover ceremony was led by Aggie NorMin Regional Executive Director, Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan; PhilMech Facility Management and Field Operations Division Assistant Chief, Engr. Geam Henry V. Reuyan; Philmech Mindanao Cluster A Head, Engr. Edgar Testa; Gingoog City Mayor Erick G. Cañosa; Sugbongcogon Mayor, Mildred Lagbas-Mondigo representing Misamis Oriental 1st District
Cogresswoman Atty. Karen A. Lagbas and FICCO Chief Executive Officer Edgardo Miquiabas. # (ATT Photos: ATT/CRS)