Submitted by niaregion3 on
The Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Section of NIA Bulacan IMO, headed by Engr. Placida C. Cordero and O&M Section Chief Engr. Ernesto L. Mapoy, Jr., has successfully demonstrated the fruits of their labor through the implementation of contract farming.
This initiative has been supported by key unit heads, including Mr. Francisco J. Clara (WCCU), Mr. Rodrigo S. Cruz (North Zone), Mr. Rodino M. Bautista (OCU), and Mr. Yves G. Alvaran (EMU), who form the "Production Site Inspection/Monitoring Team", along with the AMRIS-SWRFT and Gatekeepers.
The paddy rice farm under AMRIS, managed through contract farming, commenced its harvesting of palay on June 17, 2024 and will continue until September. Partner-farmers, through their respective Irrigators Associations (IAs) and under a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with NIA, have pledged to deliver their harvest to the NIA. The fresh palay will be compensated at ₱20.00 per kilogram.
A significant aspect of this initiative is the Government-to-Government (G2G) partnership with the Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) of Pulilan in the Province of Bulacan. The MLGU has committed to utilizing three palay dryers, each with a capacity of 5 tons, to ensure the quality drying of the fresh harvest. Additionally, they will use their state-of-the-art multi-pass mill, capable of milling 5 tons per hour, to process the dried palay into fine-grain rice. The MLGU has also allowed NIA to use their warehouse storage facilities free of charge as part of the post-harvest facilities.
Today marks a significant milestone with the launch of the "Murang Bigas Para Sa Masang Pinoy" program, offering rice at ₱29.00 per kilogram. This achievement is a testament to the collaborative efforts of various government sectors, private institutions, and the IAs with their farmer-beneficiaries, all working together to provide affordable rice to the Filipino people.