Pangasinan ready for rice processing plant
LINGAYEN–The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has approved a resolution authorizing Gov. Amado Espino Jr. to enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the establishment of a P112-million modern integrated rice-processing complex in Sta. Barbara.
The MOA will be between the provincial government, the Department of Agriculture, representing the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GOP), and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) representing the Republic of Korea.
Pangasinan is part of the first batch of four provinces that will benefit from the establishment of modern rice processing complex under a $13 million (approximately P650 million) grant from the Korean Government.
The project, to be built on a one-hectare area inside the Provincial Nursery in Sta. Barbara, aims to improve the efficiency of rice post-production system in the country through reduction of post-harvest losses, enhance the quality of milled rice, improve the distribution system and maximize rice by-products.
More than 200,000 rice farmers in the province are expected to benefit from the project.
Espino said the modern rice-processing complex, equipped with state-of-the-art post-harvest facilities, will serve as a one-stop service center for milling, drying and storing, as well as provide modern production technologies for producing high-quality rice.
Under the MOA, the province will be the owner of the facility and will initially manage and operate it until a farmer’s organization is set up and prepared to take over the operation of the complex.
KOICA is the principal agency of the Korean Government for managing grant and technical cooperation programs that could promote international cooperation and sustainable development in developing countries like the Philippines.—LM
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
