House eyes agricultural infrastructures for rice supply stability

MANILA, Philippines — To achieve stable, long-term rice supply and food security and to identify fundamental facilities and systems for the agricultural sector, the House of Representatives has been exploring feasible agricultural infrastructures, including establishing a food terminal.

On Saturday, the Office of House Appropriations chair and Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Elizaldy Co shared that the House had a conference with major rice stakeholders on Friday to discuss the matter.

The office said one of the highlights of the conference was Nueva Ecija’s strategies and experiences in rice production.

The province’s Governor Aurelio Umali reportedly shared that rice silos, which are storage made to accommodate large quantities of rice, play a vital role in their production.

According to the governor, the silos help them preserve the quality of grains and prevent post-harvest losses.

The silos enable the province to have a steady rice supply, Umali said. As a result, its government can also stabilize rice prices.

Meanwhile, Co pointed out that strategic locations that would allow interconnections among agricultural infrastructures should be identified.

“I hope we do not just create standalone structures. If they can be interconnected, it will [become] a food terminal that will revolutionize our agricultural supply chain,” he said.

This food terminal, according to Co, may have infrastructures such as silos, milling stations, blast freezing, and cold storage facilities.

He further added considerations for green initiatives such as the utilization of solar power for sustainable and cost-effective farming.

He also pushed for the adoption of solar fertigation, a solar-powered irrigation that contains fertilizer, which was said to potentially double cropping cycles.

Co shared that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership subsidies were also brought up as a promising channel to fund the establishment of the agricultural infrastructures during the meeting.

On the other hand, the hauling of agricultural products directly from the farmers was proposed to let them have the maximum benefits of their produce. With this, Co noted that the government will be able to cut off unscrupulous middlemen from the supply chain.

“The national government can also help with the hauling para ‘yung cost — wala nang kotong-kotong. If we get direct or buy directly from the farmers, wala ng trader,” he said.

(The national government can also assist with the hauling so that there will be no room for kickbacks if we purchase directly from the farmers; there would be no need for traders.)

House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe was also present in the meeting. According to Co’s office, he mainly discussed ways to enhance rice production and ensure affordable food prices in the country.

“We are on a mission to achieve the legacy project of food sufficiency, and [Friday’s] conversations mark a significant step towards that dream,” said Co.

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