DA, PGIN break ground on new post-harvest facility

Published on: December 07, 2023By Webster M. Agarpao, PGIN-CMO Intern

The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the National Food Authority (NFA), and the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), led the groundbreaking ceremony for a post-harvest facility at NFA Dingras Grains Center on December 1.

The facility comprises four (4) 30-metric-ton batch recirculating mechanical dryers designed to enhance local production and augment rice and corn storage capacity. It is part of the first phase of NFA’s post-harvest facility modernization program.

The project is under the DA’s Masagana Agri-Food Infrastructure Program and costs P130 million. It is anticipated to be completed in 10 months, in time for the main rice harvest next year.

During the ceremony, Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc expressed his gratitude to DA and the NFA for choosing Ilocos Norte as the pilot site for agriculture modernization in the country to ensure increased farmers’ income amid the recent challenge of the agriculture sector.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Francisco T. Laurel, Jr. shared his optimism for the project, stating: “Through the Dingras postharvest project, we can boost our paddy production to ensure that there is a stable and sufficient supply of rice here in Dingras and in the whole Region I."

He further highlighted the project's goals—expanding warehouse infrastructure, enhancing NFA’s procurement capacity in Dingras and nearby areas, minimizing post-harvest losses, and securing reasonably-priced rice for consumers.

Sec. Laurel said that this project is one way of realizing President Ferdinand E. Marcos’ goal of making sure that Filipino farmers receive the required assistance not only before and during the harvest season but most especially after the harvest.

Gov. Marcos Manotoc emphasized that the said project is only one step towards giving immediate help to our farmers. Ultimately, he remains steadfast in supporting the advancement of agriculture that will benefit the Ilokano farmers and looks forward to a better and more fruitful partnership with DA and NFA.