P95-M processing facility seen improving quality of rice, farmer incomes in Antique

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said a newly completed P94.8-million rice processing facility in Hamtic, Antique will improve rice quality in the province.

In a statement on Monday, the DA said the rice processing system (RPS), operated by the Hamtic Multi-Purpose Cooperative, aims to address key bottlenecks in drying, milling, and storage, which are critical stages that affect grain recovery, quality, and farmgate prices.

“This investment gives our rice farmers here in Antique the tools to be more productive and improve their live,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. was quoted as saying in the statement.

The RPS was constructed by the DA’s Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization and funded through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.

The facility features a multi-stage rice mill with a capacity of two to three tons per hour worth P54.7 million, along with two mechanical dryers capable of handling six tons per batch valued at P6.18 million.

Supporting infrastructure includes a warehouse and operations building worth P25.9 million, funded under the DA National Rice Program, as well as an equipment package consisting of a truck, forklift, weighing equipment, and moisture meter.

Aside from the RPS, the DA said it also released financial assistance and insurance claim checks through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. to rice farmers from Hamtic and San Jose de Buenavista, helping them recover from crop losses caused by bad weather. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel