The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA) will upgrade the country’s grain quality testing system through a P184.2-million project funded jointly by the Philippine and Japan.
Under the initiative running from 2026 to 2028, Japan’s JICA will provide a grant of P124.4 million while the Philippine government will contribute P59.8 million as counterpart funding.
The project aims to modernize the NFA’s Product Quality Evaluation System. Laboratory facilities at the central office and regional sites in Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, and Davao will be upgraded with new equipment. Existing testing protocols will be revised, and new standards and operating manuals for 22 laboratory units will be developed.
Aside from infrastructure upgrades, the program includes workforce development. Technical personnel will undergo training locally and overseas — including specialized courses in Japan for rice quality assessment and in Thailand for corn testing technologies. Learned skills will be shared across NFA offices nationwide to standardize quality evaluation processes.
Authorities noted that this investment addresses a longstanding gap in the agricultural supply chain. By improving accuracy in quality testing, the project will reduce post-harvest losses, enhance grain quality, and support more effective policy making.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that strengthening testing capability is key to national food security. He emphasized that food security relies not only on production volume but also on preserving quality from farm to table. The improved system will also help boost the competitiveness of the agriculture sector and ensure better grains reach Filipino consumers.
In addition, the project will support the screening of new grain varieties and the development of better grain handling technologies, making the overall food system more resilient and efficient.
