DA chief commits Food Hub, modern rice facility for Kalinga to support farmers

Tabuk City, Kalinga – The provincial government of Kalinga, headed by Governor James Edduba, announced that the province may soon benefit from a proposed Food Hub and Rice Processing System 3 (RPS3) project following the commitment made by Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. during his recent visit to the province.

A food hub serves as a centralized facility for collecting, storing, processing, and distributing agricultural products, while the RPS3 is a modern rice processing facility equipped with dryers, milling machines, and storage systems aimed at improving rice quality, reducing post-harvest losses, and increasing farmers’ income.

During the regular flag-raising ceremony on May 25 at the Kalinga Sports Center, Edduba said Laurel committed to continue extending agricultural support programs and development initiatives to the province.

“...adda diay commitment ni DA Secretary Laurel — diay RPS3. Isu ti in-promise na, including a food hub. Napintas manen daytoy ta dakkel nga support para ken dagiti farmers tayo,” he said.

The planned agricultural projects are expected to strengthen local food production, improve post-harvest facilities, and provide additional support to farmers and cooperatives across Kalinga.

Meanwhile, Kalinga remains one of the strongest agricultural provinces in the region, particularly in rice and corn production. Widely known as the “Rice Granary of the Cordillera,” the province continues to be the region’s top producer of both palay and corn, serving as a major source of livelihood for thousands of iKalinga farmers.

However, despite its strong agricultural output, farmers continue to face challenges such as declining rice and corn prices, unstable markets, post-harvest losses, and limited access to modern processing and storage facilities.

With this, the proposed Food Hub and RPS3 are seen as significant opportunities for the province.

Edduba expressed optimism that these programs could further strengthen Kalinga’s agricultural industry and provide long-term support to iKalinga farmers.