MinDA Chairperson Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno said the project fulfills President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.โs directive to bring agricultural modernization to the grassroots.
โAs the President often says, real progress in agriculture must be felt directly in the fields, and today, we are seeing that promise come to life,โ Magno said during the turnover ceremony.
The facility, funded under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), includes a multi-stage rice mill and recirculating dryers. These are designed to reduce post-harvest losses, improve grain quality, and enable farmers to access better market prices.
A total of 950 farmer-members cultivating 1,300 hectares of rice fields in Taraka stand to benefit directly from the project.
Among them is Asalam Macapodi of Barangay Pagalamatan, who tills 2.5 hectares of palay. He explained that the lack of proper drying facilities has often forced him to sell his harvest to traders at a loss, especially during the rainy season.
โKapag umuulan sa anihan, napipilitan kaming ibenta nang hilaw ang palay sa halagang 15 pesos kada kilo. Pero kung maayos na natutuyo at nabe-bisa, umaabot ito ng 25 pesos kada kilo,โ Macapodi said, noting that the income difference is crucial for tenant-farmers like him. He expressed gratitude to the government for the facility, which is now operational.
Agriculture and food security are key pillars of President Marcosโ economic agenda. His strategy focuses on strengthening irrigation, expanding mechanization, modernizing post-harvest systems, and ensuring farmersโ access to credit and insurance, all with the aim of increasing local production and stabilizing market prices.
โWe have worked hand-in-hand with BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua and other ministries and local leaders to ensure that Mindanaoโs transformation is felt across all its corridors, including those historically underserved,โ Magno added.
This project builds on MinDAโs continuing assistance to Taraka. In 2019, MinDA helped the municipality access a PhP210-million loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) for a solar-powered irrigation system and potable water supply, now serving 26 barangays.
โMinDA has been helping us, from the solar-powered irrigation to now this facility. Napakalaking tulong ito sa ating mga magsasaka, lalo na sa pagpapalago ng kanilang kita,โ said Taraka Mayor Nashiba Gandamra-Sumagayan.
Secretary Magno thanked all the partner agencies and stakeholders for their support in improving the livelihood of farmers across Mindanao. He emphasized that the RPS is a testament to what coordinated efforts can achieve and encouraged continued collaboration for a more progressive and food-secure region.ย