Additional mechanical dryers needed in Palawan

The National Food Authority (NFA) in Palawan said it is now preparing a proposal for the Department of Agriculture (DA) to help fund the purchase of 10 additional mechanical dryers for unhusked rice (palay). Nerilyn Conde, NFA assistant manager, said Friday that they will be added to the seven existing mechanical dryers they already have in Narra and Brooke’s Point, southern Palawan. She said they are hoping that by 2019, there will be more mechanical dryers to manage wet unhusked rice during the rainy season. “Sa pakikipag-ugnayan natin sa DA ay hopefully [magkaroon tayo ng dagdag na mechanical dryers]. Meron tayong ginagawang proposal na magkaroon tayo ng additional mechanical dryers. Actually, may budget ang Department of Agriculture, hopefully by 2019. We are hoping 10 units or more.” She added 15-20 units are the ideal number that Palawan needs for the production of farmers in the province, including the Calamian Islands Group.