Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Philippine Center for Postharvest
Development and Mechanization
CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

NEWS STORIES

Bacarra receives state-of-the-art postharvest facility
by PHilMech Strategic Communications Group (October 11, 2024)
“With our hardwork and determination, we were able to receive the Rice Processing System III, one of only five in the Philippines (as of now),” said Chair Mency Tolentino of the Bacarra Zanjera Irrigators Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BZIMPC) during the inauguration of RPS III in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, on October 10.

Covering nearly 30% of the total rice farming area in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, this cooperative is the first recipient of the RPS III in Region I.

The RPS III is a state-of-the-art, multi-stage rice mill with a milling capacity of 4-5 tons per hour. It is equipped with two recirculating dryers, each with a 12-ton drying capacity per batch, and an additional two dryers with a 6-ton capacity per batch amounting to Php 74.82M.

Moreover, this facility has the potential to significantly boost agricultural production and reduce postharvest losses, directly benefiting the members of the cooperative.

“We expect not only to reap the direct benefits of the granted postharvest facility–the RPS III, but also to serve as a bridge for Ilocos Norte farmers, helping them produce high-quality rice in Luzon and the country,” Chair Tolentino emphasized.

The inauguration also included the awarding of various agricultural machinery, equipment, and interventions from the Department of Agriculture and PHilMech.

A total of 68 units of agricultural machines worth Php 35.5 million, were distributed to 24 qualified farmers' cooperatives and associations (FCAs) and local government units (LGUs). The grants included 28 hand tractors, 10 levee makers, 9 rice combine harvesters, 6 walk-behind transplanters, 4 four-wheel tractors, 4 PTO-driven disc plows, 4 rice threshers, 2 rice reapers, and 1 rice precision seeder.

DA-RFO I RAED Chief Engr. Mark Pastor, Bacarra Vice Mayor Jose Pilar Jr., 1st District Representative Mr. Edwin Carino, and Ilocos Norte Provincial Agriculturist Engr. Ma. Teresa Bacnat, representative of Senator Cynthia Villar, PHilMech Director III Joel Dator, and FMFO Chief Engr. Mayville B. Castro graced the event.

As of this writing, the province of Ilocos Norte has received a total of 279 units of various agricultural machinery and post-harvest facilities, amounting to Php 336.60 million. These interventions have benefited 102 FCAs and LGUs in the province.