MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday assured Filipino farmers of his administration’s support as he led the launch of the Rice Processing System II project and the Integrated Coconut Processing Facility in Barangay San Isidro, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental.

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In his speech, the President expressed hope that the facility will improve farmers' productivity and efficiency by reducing post-harvest losses by almost 32,000 MT annually, thereby adding as much as P541 million in revenues for farmers.

“Sa pamamagitan ng teknolohiyang ito, mapapabuti ang kalidad ng ating bigas, mapapataas ang kita ng ating mga magsasaka, at higit sa lahat, magiging madali ang ating produksyon,” Marcos said. 

“Inaasahan nating mapapataas nito ang milling recovery rates mula sa kasalukuyang 55 percent ngayon ay gagawin nating 58 percent tungo sa 63 hanggang 65 percent. Iyon ang pinaka aspirational level natin,” he continued.

Marcos said his administration plans to build 150 similar Rice Processing Systems nationwide.

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Meanwhile, the P350-million Integrated Coconut Processing Facility (ICPF) project Is expected to transform coconut into a key driver of local economic growth by producing high-value coconut products. 

The President in his speech also highlighted his government’s agricultural programs such as the construction of 1,162 kilometers of farm-to-market roads nationwide.

Marcos also led the turnover of agricultural machinery, equipment, facilities and other inputs amounting to P32.2 million to the region’s farmers. 

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