DA SIGNS DEAL WITH DTI, NIA ON RICE SUPPLY CHAIN

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday signed an agreement with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)  that aims to ensure an efficient rice supply chain and create an alternative market for grain.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) among the three agencies would benefit farmers and consumers as it seeks to promote the Integrated Rice Supply Chain Development Program.

“The MOU serves as our commitment to enhance stakeholder collaboration, intensify partnership initiatives, and emphasize programs and projects that spur innovation,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel said in a press release on Saturday.

The program will foster an efficient supply chain, develop a business-to-business online market platform, create alternative market access for buyers and sellers, enhance farmers’ income, promote proper rice branding and classification, and make rice affordable to consumers.

The DA chief said he envisions the future of Philippine rice to be of high quality and recognized in the market.

He said the country could elevate the status of its agricultural products on a global stage with the cooperation in production, classification, marketing, and distribution of domestic rice.

“Our aim is to enhance the income of our hard-working rice farmers through more efficient market and supply chain arrangements,” he added.