President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday led the inauguration of a rice processing and palay drying facility in Nueva Ecija, valued at PhP63.9 million, to enhance farmers’ productivity, income, and competitiveness.

President Marcos launched the Rice Processing System (RPS) II during a visit to the Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija, one of the country’s top rice-producing provinces.

The RPS II, which consists of a state-of-the-art multi-stage rice mill valued at PhP55.35 millions and two recirculating dryers worth PhP8.66 million, will significantly reduce post-harvest losses.

Approximately 6,000 farmers from Muñoz, who collectively manage a total of 9,200 hectares of rice fields, will directly benefit from the President’s latest initiative to improve the agricultural sector.

According to the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech), the rice processing system is expected to reduce the production cost of farmers by PhP2 to PhP3 per kilo through the use of mechanized production technologies.

The facility will also reduce post-production losses of farmers by 3 to 5 percent.

The RPS rice mill has a capacity of 2 to 3 tons per hour, featuring a pre-cleaner, de-stoner, huller, mist polisher, length grader, color sorter, and blending tank.

The system also features an automatic packing machine for milled rice, a rice hull bin, a dust collection system, and an air-conditioned control room.

Meanwhile, each of the two recirculating dryers has a 12-ton per batch drying capacity. They are made of stainless steel and equipped with two heating systems, a generator set, tools, and other accessories.

The project is funded by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), which is implemented by the Department of Agriculture and PhilMech, in partnership with the provincial government of Nueva Ecija. | PND