The governments of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea inaugurated new rice seed processing and cold storage facilities at the Department of Agriculture–Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, as part of efforts to modernize the country’s rice seed supply chain, in celebration of its recent 40th anniversary.
The project, funded by Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and the Korean Rural Community Corporation (KRC) and implemented by the Global Agriculture Policy Institute (GAPI), is designed to improve the processing, storage, and shelf life of high-quality certified seeds used in rice production.
Officials said the facilities will help reduce postharvest losses, speed up processing, and ensure the timely availability of quality seeds for growers and farmers. The initiative is expected to contribute to the country’s food-security goals by stabilizing seed supply and improving productivity.
In his message, MAFRA Director Shin Jae Kim said the new seed facilities and training systems will “serve as a stepping stone to take the Philippines’ agricultural technology infrastructure to the next level,” stressing that people and technology are central to the project.
The seed processing and storage complex is built to ensure uniform drying and efficient operations. Officials said the project represents continued cooperation between Korea and the Philippines in advancing agricultural development and strengthening the resilience of the rice industry.
Ceremonial signing of the Deed of Donation and turnover of building manuals and as-built drawings were also conducted.
DA Assistant Secretary for Operations U-Nichols A. Manalo, Economic Counselor Hyun Jung Jung of the Korean Embassy, MAFRA Director for Global Agricultural Development Shin Jae Kim, KRC Global Project Office Director Chan Won Choi, GAPI Chairperson Sangmu Lee, and PhilRice officials unveiled project markers and led the ribbon-cutting.
