GUIMBA, March 27 -- About 1.2 million Filipino rice farmers are enjoying higher earnings with the operation of rice processing systems (RPS) and modern farm machinery provided by the government across the country, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) said on Friday.

In a series of interviews, farmers in Nueva Ecija attested to how they were able to secure a higher buying price for palay (unhusked rice) with the use of the state's modernized post-harvest facilities.

Sally Rihad, 58, a farmer for 30 years, lauded the government for granting them drying and milling facilities that boosted their profit for the past two years.

"Dati, noong mga ahente lang ang bumibili, nasa PHP14 or PHP15 per kg. (o...