Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has urged rice farmers in areas served by rice processing systems (RPS) to focus on planting only one to two rice varieties, a move aimed at maximizing operational efficiency.

The call comes in response to feedback from local farmers’ cooperatives operating RPS facilities, which emphasized the need to streamline production to ensure smoother and more efficient processing.

Secretary Tiu Laurel said that while farmers may still choose their preferred rice varieties, planting should be limited to a maximum of two varieties per area.

“The important thing is the efficiency of the processing systems. If too many varieties are planted at the same time, the facility has to wait for one batch to finish before starting another, which slows down operations,” he said.

Sony Dolendo, general manager of the Hamtic Multi-purpose Cooperative, noted that planting even a single rice variety has already resulted in significant efficiency gains for the P98.4-million RPS provided by the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.

Explaining the rationale behind the approach, Secretary Tiu Laurel pointed to Vietnam’s rice sector as a model. “In Vietnam, farmers focus on one or two varieties per region. This allows mills to operate continuously, reduces production costs, and ensures that both farmers and rice millers earn more. We can adopt the same approach here to make our rice sector more profitable and sustainable,” he said.

Beyond planting guidelines, the DA is also rolling out additional rice drying facilities to further support farmers.

Under the 2025 budget, 220 drying systems—each equipped with a 390-square-meter warehouse and a 12-tonner dryer—have been allocated. For 2026, another 150 drying systems will be deployed, featuring larger 900-square-meter warehouses and 24-tonner dryers. These facilities will enable farmers to temporarily store and dry their harvest before milling, addressing the persistent problem of inadequate post-harvest storage.

Secretary Tiu Laurel noted that not all areas need to have rice mills if adequate drying and storage facilities are available. Properly dried and stored palay, he said, can be kept for up to six months, allowing for a more stable and predictable supply.

Experts say that combining limited-variety planting with improved drying infrastructure could significantly boost productivity and profitability. Reduced mill downtime, better harvest scheduling, and sufficient storage and drying facilities are expected to lower costs, minimize post-harvest losses, and preserve rice quality.

Farmers are encouraged to coordinate closely with local cooperatives and processing facilities in selecting suitable varieties and making full use of the drying systems. Secretary Tiu Laurel emphasized that these measures form part of a broader effort to modernize rice production in the Philippines, ensuring greater efficiency, sustainability, and higher incomes for farmers nationwide. (By DA – OSEC Comms & file photo by AFID)

Published Date: January 24, 2026