LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—In support of the farm mechanization component of the Corporate Farming Program, the Provincial Government of Pangasinan is set to receive two units of mechanical recirculating dryers (6 tons).
According to PhilMech’s website, “These dryers are used to reduce the moisture content of the grain to a safe or desired level, providing higher milling yield and head rice recovery.”
Said program primarily supports the Masagana Program of the Department of Agriculture through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).
Prior to this, Governor Ramon V. Guico III will sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Center for Post-Harvest Development and Mechanization, or PhilMech.
As this developed, a resolution authored by Board Member Nicholi Jan Louie Q. Sison was approved by the Pangasinan Provincial Board on October 7.
“Whereas, to address major concerns of the agriculture sector of the Province of Pangasinan, the Provincial Government, under the leadership of Honorable Governor Ramon V. Guico III, is implementing the Provincial Corporate Farming Program to enhance food production and to make farming a profitable and sustainable economic enterprise in line with the national government’s food sufficiency thrust through its Masagana Program for Agriculture,” the resolution stated.
The resolution stated that “Pangasinan’s Corporate Farming Program Convergence Strategy endeavors to demonstrate food production cost efficiency through a farm consolidation approach and increase production yield by optimum utilization of inputs, farm machinery, and adoption of package technologies (POT), rekindling the Bayanihan spirit among agriculture stakeholders, particularly LGUs and farmer cooperative associations.”
Putting agriculture among the top priorities of his administration, Gov. Guico rallied behind the province’s excellent performance in agriculture over the past year.
In 2023, rice farmers in Pangasinan produced 1,388,063.84 metric tons from 267,946.14 hectares, with an average productivity yield of 5.18 tons per hectare.
Hence, Pangasinan reached a sufficiency level of 209% in 2023.
To further boost the province’s agriculture, the concept of corporate farming was introduced in the last quarter of 2022.
In 2023, seven sites with 154.55 hectares produced 773 metric tons of palay. This translated to more savings in farm inputs.
“Research shows that agricultural mechanization and adoption of post-harvest technology in place improve farm work efficiency, help maximize yield and reduce post-harvest losses, and maintain product quality, thereby increasing yield and profitability,” the resolution cited. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)
