The Department of Agriculture (DA), DA-National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will collaborate on the development and implementation of the Integrated Rice Supply Chain Development Program.
On February 2, 2024, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. represented by Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Alvin John Balagbag, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, and NIA Administrator Eduardo Eddie Guillen signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the collaborative project.
“The MOU serves as our commitment to enhance stakeholder collaboration, intensify partnership initiatives, and emphasize programs and projects that spur innovation,” Secretary Tiu Laurel said in a message read by Undersecretary Balagbag.
The MOU on Integrated Rice Supply Chain Development Program aims to ensure an efficient rice supply chain, developing a business-to-business online market platform for rice, creating alternative market access for rice buyers and sellers, and enhancing the income of rice farmers. It also intends to promote proper rice classification and branding and facilitate cooperation in production, classification, marketing sales and distribution of domestic rice in the market. ### (Photos by Alarico Nuestro, DA-AFID/Jay Morales, DA-OSEC)
