Yap urges rice clusters to put up own dryers

Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap is  encouraging the 2,000 rice clusters all over the country to put up their own post-harvest drying facilities before the onset of harvest for the wet cropping season to minimize losses.

According to Yap, "by putting up flatbed dryers, the country could save eight per cent in losses."

The expected palay production for this year is 16.2 million metric tons (MT). Avoiding post-harvest losses of eight percent means an additional production of 1.3 million MT, Yap pointed out.

Rice clusters could either tap the National Food Authority (NFA) or the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Units (DA-RFUs) to facilitate the scheme, Yap continued. 

By donating a parcel of land to the NFA, Yap said, the NFA would be able to construct a dryer with shed so the cluster members in the area can use the facility at minimal cost. Even without a deed of donation, Yap said, the NFA could still provide the dryer.

However, the dryer would be  subject to a long-term lease and the cluster must provide the labor as their counterpart. 

Another option for the cluster, Yap suggested, is to acquire  a flatbed dryer for which the cluster could apply for a loan through the DA-RFUs from the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF).