Tanauan Plans Rice Processing System to Strengthen Local Agriculture

Posted on Mar. 12, 2026 at 7:54 pm

TANAUAN, Leyte — The Municipal Agriculture Office of Tanauan, Leyte, has introduced new programs to enhance livelihood opportunities and provide better support for local farmers and fisherfolk.

Susana O. Miranda, the Municipal Agriculture Officer, stated in an interview on March 9, 2026, that the implementation of the Municipal Agriculture Livelihood Assistance Program (MAP) aims to assist farmers’ groups in accessing livelihood projects and agricultural resources more effectively.

The program, approved through a local ordinance, is designed to cater to the needs of farming and fishing communities in the municipalities. Fisherfolk groups are being consulted to determine the specific types of livelihood assistance they require, such as fishing nets and small machinery to aid in their daily operations.

Efforts are also being made to boost the market value of locally produced rice. The municipal government is seeking funding opportunities to establish a rice trading system that would enable farmers to sell their harvests at competitive prices.

Plans are underway to set up a Rice Processing System facility, equipped with drying and milling machinery, as part of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization program. The facility is slated to be built on municipal land in Barangay Sacme, Tanauan, Leyte.

Once operational, the facility is expected to help farmers process their harvest locally, thereby reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing the quality of rice available in the market.

Miranda reassured farmers that despite the introduction of new projects, the municipal government will continue to distribute seeds and fertilizers to support upcoming seasons.

Furthermore, the local government will maintain its P2-per-kilogram incentive for rice sold through the National Food Authority (NFA), encouraging farmers to participate in the government’s grain procurement program.

Local officials emphasized that these initiatives are aimed at boosting agricultural productivity in Tanauan and ensuring that farmers and fisherfolk have sustainable sources of income in the years ahead.

(Photo by: Rolly Magallanes)