The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday disclosed plans with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to boost the Philippines’ rice output and reduce rice production losses.

This came after the DA discussed a USD200 million to USD500 million post-harvest project loan for rice with JICA after a study conducted by Sanyu Consultants, Inc.

In a Zoom interview, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa said the project would support the National Food Authority (NFA), as well as rice cooperatives and farmers associations nationwide.

“So, itong mga ganitong (these types of) project will help reduce post-harvest losses and will eventually, una mapataas iyong ating (first, increase our) production and, of course, mapataas din iyong income ng ating mga (raise the income of our) farmers,” he said.

The country sustains 15 percent to 17 percent in losses from rice production to post-harvest, including drying and milling, according to the Philippine Center for Post-Harvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech).

De Mesa said the project would cover storage, warehouses, rice mills, rice dryers, and silos.

“All throughout the country, nationwide ito, especially doon sa mga rice-producing areas na masuportahan iyong operation ng NFA. Lalo ngayon, mag-e-expand sila ng (in rice-producing areas so that we can support the NFA operations. Especially now that they will expand their) procurement,” he said, referring to the increased days for national rice buffer stock to 15 days from the previous nine days under the amended Rice Tariffication Law.

The increased buffer stock is equivalent to 880,000 metric tons of rice.

“Aside from the NFA, gusto rin natin suportahan iyong ating mga ka-partner ng mga kooperatiba (we also want to support our partner cooperatives), rice cooperatives and associations, to also bring up yung value chain from palay to rice, iyong kanilang magiging (their) output,” De Mesa said.

The project might be launched in 2026 or 2027. (PNA)