Misamis Occidental receives rice production machines, postharvest facilities…

The province of Misamis Occidental has received seven units of four-wheel drive tractors with rotavators, PTO-driven disc plows, and front loaders and a unit of rice combine harvester amounting to Php52.9M from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program during a joint ceremony for various government interventions held in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental, on June 14, 2024.

Besides production machines, the PLGU of Misamis Occidental and CLGU of Oroquieta City have also inked a memorandum of agreement for the establishment of a Rice Processing System I facility with one unit of multi-stage rice mill (1.5 tph) and two units of recirculating dryer (6 tons capacity).

These machines will benefit the farmers from the provincial government unit of Misamis Occidental, and the local government units of Aloran, Baliangao, Jimenez, Oroquieta City, Plaridel, Bonifacio, and Clarin.

Present during the ceremony were FMFOD Division Chief Engr. May Ville Castro, Assistant Division Chief Domingo Miranda, Mindanao A Cluster Head Engr. Edgar Testa, DA-RFO X Executive Director Jose Apollo Pacamalan, Misamis Occidental Governor Hon. Henry S. Oaminal, Mayors and Board Members of the province, and a representative from the office of Senator Cynthia Villar, Mr. Robert Villacura.

Other government agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture RFO X, Department of Science and Technology, and the Provincial Local Government Unit have also granted their assistance.

Since 2019, Misamis Occidental has received a total of 308 units of various rice machines and equipment under the RCEF, totaling Php245.3M in investments to enhance local agricultural productivity. (FB, DA-PhilMech, June 27, 2024)