THE municipal government of Laur in Nueva Ecija will be among the recipients of a village-type rice mill from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), forming part of the government’s efforts to support farmers and strengthen local food production.
Laur Mayor Benjamin Padilla said agriculture remains the municipality’s primary source of livelihood, prompting the local government to prioritize programs that directly benefit farmers and improve agricultural productivity.
Among the key initiatives, he cited the that the rice mill that will be provided by PhilMech will help address post-harvest losses by rice farmers in the locality.
“The village-type rice mill will directly benefit our farmers by allowing them to process their harvests at a lower cost,” Padilla said.
PhilMech, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, develops and promotes postharvest and mechanization technologies aimed at reducing losses and improving the quality and value of crops after harvest.
The provision of the milling facility forms part of Laur’s broader agriculture and food security programs aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s food security agenda.
Besides the PhilMech rice mill, Laur is providing other farmer support services.
Padilla said the municipal government is updating and validating farmers’ records to ensure eligible beneficiaries receive government assistance and agricultural support services.
“We are also exploring direct procurement of palay (unmilled rice) from local farmers at better prices,” he said.
Padilla also said that the Municipal Agriculture Office has been tasked with promoting climate-resilient technologies and crop varieties, and providing farmers, cooperatives, and organizations with seeds and free technical assistance from agriculture technicians, with support from the national government.
Livestock services are also being strengthened through free animal vaccination and artificial insemination programs.
To address water supply concerns, Padilla said the operator of the Laur water system has been directed to identify additional sites for pumping stations to ensure a stable water supply in communities and help mitigate the effects of El Niño.
“Some areas in Laur continue to experience water shortages, and we are committed to ensuring that every barangay has access to clean water for every household,” he said.
Through these initiatives, Padilla said the local government unit of Laur continues to work on improving farmers’ access to essential services and facilities.
