Multi-million rice facility for farmers

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture  has turned over to the farmers’ cooperative in Bohol a multi-million rice processing complex  established through the assistance of the Korean International Cooperation Agency.

 The Korea-Philippines RPC in Pilar, Bohol was inaugurated on December 10, 2012 yet but the operation and management was turned over to the Bohol Farmers’ Multipurpose Cooperative (BOFAMCO only last Friday.

 KOICA resident representative Seo Dongsung said that of the four they have established in the country, the complex in Bohol is the second they have turned over.

The other three are in Pangasinan, Iloilo and Davao del Sur.

DA-7 Director Angel Enriquez has challenged BUFAMCO to sustain the facility and to work on higher production.

 “Show to the world that we are worth of the facility given to us by the government of Republic of Korea,” Enriquez said.

 Bohol Third District Rep. Arthur Yap, also a former DA secretary, said having the facility in the area actually means more work otherwise the facility would simply become a “white elephant”.

Dongsung, DA Undersecretary Emerson Palad and Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto assured their continued support for project even if the facility is now under BUFAMCO.

 “Bisan gitunol na sa farmers, duyugan gihapon ang farmers sa ahensiya,” Chatto said.

 He asked Palad to facilitate the release of another P10 million as capital of RPC.

 BUFAMCO Chairman Bernard Jumo said they are thankful for having been chosen recipient of the project, which they hope can enhance production and living condition.

 Members of the cooperative underwent training to operate and run the facility.

 The facility is intended to help increase the income of farmers by improving the efficiency of rice postproduction and distribution, reduce postharvest losses, and maximize the utilization of rice by-products.

KOICA granted a total of P649 million to establish the four RPCs while the Philippine government allocated P136.45 million as counterpart.

 Each RPC is equipped with five mechanical dryers, multi-pass state-of- the-art milling facility equipped with color sorter, length grader and automatic bagger. It is also equipped with a storage facility.

 The five units of mechanical dryer can process 50 metric tons palay per day on a 10-hour operation schedule.

 The milling facility has a capacity of 50 bags milled rice per hour or 500 bags per day at a 10-hour milling operation schedule. Each RPC was also provided by KOICA with a 6-ton and 25-ton capacity hauling trucks. (FREEMAN)