By Othel V. Campos

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Monday it turned over a P60.6-million state-of-the-art Rice Processing System II (RPS II) to the Isabela Seed Grower’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative on Nov. 6, 2025 under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) mechanization program.

The initiative is part of a broader government effort to modernize the rice industry and support the “Bagong Pilipinas” vision of a more progressive and technology-driven agriculture sector, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

The RPS II package includes a modern multi-stage rice mill and recirculating dryers designed to boost milling efficiency, improve grain quality and ultimately increase the incomes of farmers in Isabela, one of the country’s top rice-producing provinces. Each system features a multi-stage rice mill with a capacity of 2 to 3 tons per hour and at least two recirculating dryers with a 12-ton per batch capacity.

The DA said it also distributed P77 million worth of farm machinery, including tractors, transplanters, harvesters, and other equipment, to qualified farmer beneficiaries across the province.

Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Christopher Morales underscored the crucial role of mechanization in helping farmers stay competitive amid rising production costs and climate pressures. “Through these interventions, we are ensuring that Filipino farmers not only produce more rice but also earn more from their hard work,” he said.

The DA committed to sustaining investments in modern machinery, post-harvest facilities and capacity-building programs to further strengthen the rice sector.

Published Date: November 11, 2025