PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said a P64-million rice processing system opened to serve about 6,000 rice farmers in Nueva Ecija.

The system, which was funded through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, consists of two recirculating dryers and a multi-stage mill that can handle 2-3 metric tons of palay (unmilled rice) per hour, the DA said in a statement.

“These assets will serve more than 6,000 rice farmers cultivating nearly 10,000 hectares of rice land in Nueva Ecija, enabling them to mill, package, and market their own produce — dramatically improving quality control and profit potential while slashing post-harvest losses,” the DA said.

The package also includes a four-wheel tractor, 16 combine harvesters, and a cultivator valued at P31.1 million.

Meanwhile, the DA also inaugurated 16 mobile soil laboratories — one for each region — designed to bring agronomic science closer to the farms.

Since its pilot release in December in Region III, the first lab has served over 1,500 farmers in 42 municipalities, issuing 362 soil-health cards and five fertility maps, the DA said. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza