NFA grain testing upgrade gets P124 million Japan funding

MANILA, Philippines — The National Food Authority (NFA) will receive P124 million in funding from the Japanese government to fund upgrades for its grain quality testing systems, a move that could help reduce post-harvest losses.

A total of P184.2 million will be allocated toward the system upgrades, with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) granting P124.4 million and the Philippine government shouldering the remaining P59.8 million.

The three-year program, from 2026 to 2028, will modernize the NFA’s capacity in grain post-harvest processing through the upgraded Product Quality Evaluation System (PQuEST).

The initiative is set to upgrade the laboratory facilities of the NFA Central office, along with regional laboratories in Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas and Davao Region. The facilities will be equipped with new testing instruments, while existing grain quality assessment protocols will be overhauled.

The agency will also develop new testing standards and operating manuals for 22 laboratory equipment units.

The project will also strengthen the screening of varietal grain strains and develop more suitable grain-handling and evaluation technologies.

NFA technical personnel will also undergo local and overseas training, through specialized courses in Japan focused on rice quality assessment and in Thailand for corn testing technologies.

The agency said the training programs would be shared throughout branch offices nationwide to support standardized grain quality evaluation.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said strengthening the NFA’s testing capabilities will allow more accurate quality assessment and improve the country’s food security program.

“By modernizing the NFA’s laboratories and adopting science-based testing systems, we are equipping the agency with better tools to protect grain quality, support sound policymaking and enhance the competitiveness of our agriculture sector,” he added.