BACARRA, Ilocos Norte—A
modern rice processing center (RPC) is now in full operation here just in time
for the rice harvest season.
Operated by the Bacarra
Farmers’ Association, the establishment of the P 16-million RPC has been
approved in 2014 through a grant from the Department of Agriculture (DA) during
the time of former DA Secretary Proceso Alcala.
Equipped with a flatbed
dryer, farmer-beneficiaries said they would no longer need to use public roads
in the absence of communal pavements to dry their produce during the peak of
harvest season.
In a formal inauguration
attended by Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Domingo Ambrocio, in his capacity
as chairperson of the committee on agriculture of the provincial board, he said
he hopes the operation of the facility will be sustained to improve the quality
of life of farmers.
In previous years, Bacarra
rice farmers particularly those living in flood-prone barangays were among
those hard hit by typhoons. Should there been a readily available drying
facility, the estimated cost of damages could have been minimal.
Next to Piddig town, the
Bacarra RPC is among the six modern milling facilities set up in Region 1 to
help rural farmers reduce post-harvest losses.
The DA funded about 28
milling facilities nationwide to benefit selected farmer organizations who
underwent rigid training and capacity building to operate and maintain the
centers.
Under the program initiated
by the previous administration, the government funded 85 percent of the cost of
the project and the remaining balance of 15 percent by the recipient. (Leilanie
G. Adriano)
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