CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) - - The Department of Agriculture - Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PHILRICE) - Isabela announced that it is set to receive international funding from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of the Republic of South Korea.

Joy B. Duldulao, OIC PhilRice - Isabela Branch director, said that the DA-PhilRice Isabela needs to upgrade the station's resources for its clients benefit.

Duldulao said that the upcoming aid will be used to construct a 540-square-meter rice warehouse with cold storage to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the rice supply chain as well as food security in the country.

“The Department of Agriculture, the DA-PhilRice Central Experiment Station (CES), and the National Food Authority will carry out the components of the project alongside the implementing survey team of the Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC) authorized by MAFRA,” she said.

She added that the components of the project involve the construction of rice seed processing and storage facilities, including the provision of equipment; supply of hardware and software for the deployment and operationalization of information system; capacity building of workers through local and international training programs; and project management with the help of Korean experts.  

Meanwhile, PhilRice Business Development Division Head Fidela Bongat said that better storage of seeds will lower the chances of seed deterioration resulting in the station’s delivery of quality seeds in its area of responsibility.

She said further that they are focused on four provinces of Regions 2, 6, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR); they have already started producing and delivering hybrid seeds for Region 2 and CAR. (MGE / PIA Isabela)