NFA modernization worth P10 billion underway

A P10-billion modernization project is underway to enhance the National Food Authority's rice storage capacity and update facilities to help farmers.

Of the P10 billion funding, P5 billion is earmarked for rice mills, drying facilities, and other infrastructure projects included in this year’s national budget.

“These facilities will be a game-changer for the NFA, enabling us to purchase rice with moisture content above the current 14% requirement,” NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said.

Meanwhile, P1.5 billion will be allotted to repair existing warehouses for the preservation of both palay and rice quality. 

The NFA said warehouse repairs are already ongoing with a facility in Malolos, Bulacan, capable of storing up to 120,000 sacks of 50 kilograms of rice, set to receive rice stocks in April. 

The remaining P3.5 billion will be used to add 800,000 metric tons of storage capacity by next year, nearly doubling the NFA’s current capacity.

“This expanded capacity will help us address the current issue where our warehouse space is almost full,” said Lacson. 

Lacson also said that plots of land have been donated to the NFA or made available through usufruct deals for the construction of new warehouses in Mindanao and Luzon. 

The modernization projects are expected to be in operation by the end of 2026, in time for the summer harvest in 2027, the NFA said. 

“The full upgrade across all regions will include silos in major rice-producing areas such as Regions 2 and 3, allowing the NFA to store rice for up to two years, far longer than the usual six months to one year for bagged rice,” the NFA said. –NB, GMA Integrated News