THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Tuesday said it has inaugurated a rice kropek, or cracker, processing facility in Milagros, Masbate, that is expected to expand livelihood opportunities and increase the value of locally produced rice.
“This initiative is more than providing processing equipment. It is about creating opportunities for our agrarian reform beneficiaries to increase their income, add value to their harvests, and become competitive agripreneurs,” DAR provincial agrarian reform program officer Eleanor Torres said.
The partnership was said to align with the DAR’s Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development Sustainability Program, which focuses on transforming agrarian reform beneficiaries into competitive agri-entrepreneurs.
Farmers will benefit from increased value addition, expanded market opportunities, and stronger institutional support, the department said, in line with the government's commitment to inclusive rural development and sustainable agricultural growth.
DAR Masbate said it also supported the RiceBIS x Farm-to-Table Project, a collaboration between the Department of Agriculture-PhilRice Bicol, BPI Foundation, Baclay Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative, and other farmers’ groups in Milagros.
The project aims to increase farmers' productivity, promote sustainable agri-enterprises, expand market access, and generate additional income.
