MANILA – The national government has committed PHP62.55 million worth of rice production and postharvest equipment to the provincial government of South Cotabato.

In a statement, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) said the equipment was presented during the launch of its multi-million program on the consolidation of rice production and mechanization in Baranggay Liwanay, Banga, South Cotabato on Wednesday.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. graced the turnover ceremony of the consolidated government assistance from various agencies, including PHilMech, worth PHP115.3 million.

He lauded the initiative of South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. in alleviating the quality of life of the farmers and the way they do farming.

On the other hand, PHilMech Director Dionisio Alvindia committed a Rice Processing System 2 and a precision rice seeder under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Mechanization Program that constitutes 54.25 percent of the total assistance received by South Cotabato under RCEF.

The establishment of rice processing facilities, use of rice precision seeders, and other crop establishment machines are now the banner projects promoted by PHilMech to the RCEF Mechanization Program beneficiaries to help reduce production costs and curb postharvest losses.

Tamayo, meanwhile, said the program is anchored on Marcos’s pronouncements on food security and improving the quality of life of the farmers who are generally below the poverty line.

The President and the governor also highlighted the key role of mechanization in achieving the success of the program. (Ferdinand Patinio, PNA)