The Department of Agriculture (DA) is encouraging rice farmers in areas covered by rice processing systems (RPS) to plant only one or two rice varieties per area to speed up processing and reduce costs.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said planting too many varieties at the same time slows down rice mills because each variety has to be processed separately. This causes delays and lowers efficiency. By limiting planting to one or two varieties, processing facilities can operate continuously and more smoothly.
The move follows feedback from farmers’ cooperatives managing RPS facilities, which reported better results when fewer varieties are planted. One cooperative in Antique said using just one variety significantly improved the efficiency of its DA-funded rice processing system.
Tiu Laurel cited Vietnam’s rice industry as an example, where farmers usually plant only one or two varieties per region. This system allows mills to run without interruption, lowers production costs, and increases income for both farmers and millers.
To further support farmers, the DA is also expanding rice drying and storage facilities. Under the 2025 budget, 220 drying systems have been allocated, with another 150 larger units planned for 2026. These facilities will help farmers properly dry and store palay before milling, reducing losses and maintaining rice quality.
The DA said not every area needs its own rice mill if proper drying and storage are available. Well-dried palay can be stored for up to six months, helping stabilize supply and prices.
Experts say combining limited-variety planting with better drying and storage can boost productivity, cut costs, and increase farmers’ income. Farmers are advised to coordinate with local cooperatives and processing facilities when choosing which varieties to plant.
The DA said the initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize rice production and make the rice sector more efficient and sustainable.
