The Department of Agriculture has announced plans to complete 380 mechanical drying systems by the start of the 2027 wet season, aimed at expanding the country's post-harvest drying facilities.
The department expects 230 palay (unmilled rice) drying units to be operational by the end of 2026, while 150 units will be assembled next year.
According to officials, two fully operational units are already in place in Nueva Ecija, with the project expected to increase effective rice output by reducing post-harvest losses and improving milling recovery.
The project is expected to generate an estimated P3 billion in additional net income per cropping season for farmers, as well as an average P3 per kilogram price premium for properly dried palay over wet palay.
Officials also estimate that the drying facilities will help farmers achieve additional gains of about P12,600 per hectare for every cropping season.
The program has been described as one of the biggest investments in post-harvest infrastructure by the current administration.
