Pototan rice processing plant groundbreaking set Nov. 16
The groundbreaking rites for the P200-million modern integrated rice processing complex in Brgy. Amamaros, Pototan, Iloilo will be held on November 16, a report from the Provincial Capitol said.
The project, a joint undertaking of the Iloilo provincial government and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica), aims to reduce post production losses and improve the quality of rice.
Koica representatives along with municipal officials of Pototan, Iloilo and Department of Agriculture met with Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. Tuesday to map out preparations for the start of the project implementation.
The state-of-the-art complex will be composed of rice production and processing facilities, warehouse, seed cleaning and storage plants, drying plant, hauling facilities and support facilities.
The KOICA has committed P150 million for the project while the remaining P50 million will provided by the DA and the local government units.
Elias Sandig of the Provincial Agriculture Office said the province has a counterpart fund of P6.4 million for the project.
He said the project was conceptualized during the time when Defensor was still the congressman of the Third District.
Sandig said the integrated rice processing plant has a milling capacity of 2.5 tons per hour or it can mill 20 tons per day based on an eight hours per day operation.
He said it would also increase the milling recovery of five percent translated to 260 tons of milled rice saved annually.
It would also improve the quality and increase the acceptability and competitiveness of long grain milled rice.
The project, expected to be completed in a year, will be put up in a one hectare area and is expected to be completed in a year.
The project site was donated by the Pototan municipal government, which will also take charge of the site development, water supply, security and other administrative support.*
