Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. joined the provincial government of Guimba, Nueva Ecija, on August 29, 2024, in the massive distribution of various interventions and assistance to local farmers.

Through its various banner programs, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office III (DA-RFO III), distributed 500 pouches of yellow onion seeds valued at ₱788,875, 1,000 pouches of red onion seeds worth ₱503,500, 180 bags of organic fertilizer valued at ₱87,120, and 4 units of pumps with engine sets, each valued at ₱77,890.

Aside from these, 200 farmers received ₱5,000 each through the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) program of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), while 612 other farmers were provided fuel assistance cards. 

In 2023, DA-RFO III distributed a total of ₱443,322,600 in RFFA funds to the province.

Also under the RCEF-Mechanization component, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech) inaugurated a ₱60.29 million Rice Processing System II at Barangay Casongsong.  The facility includes a state-of-the-art multi-pass rice mill and three units of recirculating dryers.

“Sa mga nakalipas, karamihan sa mga naipapamigay na postharvest facilities ay may kaliitan. Ngayon, mas malaki at moderno na ang matatanggap ng ating magsasaka. Mayroon pa tayong dalawang malalaking postharvest facility ang ilalagay sa Nueva Ecija na ten times ang laki kesa sa mga nauna nating ipinamigay,” Sec. Tiu Laurel said. 

The RPS II was awarded to the Cooperative Enterprise for True Economic Reform, which consists of 172 farmer members who will directly benefit from the program. ### (Kristel Joyce Merle, DA-AFID)