Marcos leads turnover of farm facilities, projects in Misamis Oriental
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. PPA pool/File photo.
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the launching and turnover of agricultural projects and farm machinery in Misamis Oriental, aimed at boosting rice and coconut production and generate jobs in the province.
The Rice Processing System II project, which includes a modern rice mill and four dryers, targets to help farmers work more efficiently and reduce crop losses after harvest.
It will be managed by the First Community Cooperative, a multipurpose cooperative with over 100 branches.
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“Through this technology, the quality of our rice will improve. Our farmers’ income will increase. Most importantly, our production will become easier,” Marcos, speaking in Filipino, said in his speech during a ceremony in Barangay San Isidro, Balingasag.
He added that this project is expected to increase the milling recovery rate from the current 55 percent to up to 65 percent.
“With its help, post-harvest losses will also decrease by nearly 32,000 metric tons per year. This is equivalent to over P541 million in income for our farmers,” the president also said.
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Target to become No. 1
Meanwhile, the P350-million Integrated Coconut Processing Facility (ICPF), which is the very first of its kind in the country, targets to make the Philippines the number one exporter of coconut products in the world.
It promotes the processing of coconut products beyond the traditional copra. These include cocopallets/cocoboards, activated carbon, virgin coconut oil, coco flour, skim milk, and coco water.
The ICPF also seeks to increase the farm gate price of coconut from P8 to 9 per nut to at least P16-18 per nut.
“An estimated 66,000 coconut farmers in Misamis Oriental will benefit from this. It will also create jobs for 2,500 Filipinos,” Marcos said.
Also his speech, Marcos encouraged rice and coconut farmers to continuously adapt with the usage of modern technology.
“We know that no project can ever truly repay the blood and sweat you pour into your work, But through each of these programs, we hope to somehow ease your daily burdens. I encourage you to nurture and take care of these gifts,” he said.
