A Brunei-based company is set to bankroll a five-year rice farming venture worth P286 million in Palawan as part of a regional food security initiative aimed at boosting local grain production.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between Wasan Milling Co. Sdn Bhd and the municipal government of Narra during a recent ceremony in Pasig City.
Wasan Milling general manager Saidin bin Namit and Narra Mayor Gerandy Danao signed the agreement under the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) food security program.
The project is expected to cover 5,000 hectares of rice land and involve up to 2,000 farmers, with investments tied to specific yield targets.
‘The program will cover 5,000 hectares, with a yield target of 4.5 metric tons per hectare,’ Danao said in a statement.
‘This equates to 22,500 metric tons of paddy rice annually by year five. This production will serve a dual purpose: supplying Brunei under the BIMP-EAGA food security program while also supporting the Philippine local market,’ he added.
The initial P286-million commitment will fund farm inputs, technology transfer and market linkage for participants.
It will also provide post-harvest systems once the preparatory phase achieves an average yield of 4.5 metric tons per hectare.
‘Because Brunei is helping cover the production costs, the rice can be sold at a more competitive price, easing reliance on imported rice and giving local farmers stronger market support,’ Saidin bin Namit said.
Trial planting is set to begin this October, with a second cycle scheduled in January 2026 if needed.
The preparatory phase will evaluate achievable yields, production costs and the extent of support needed for expansion.
Once proven viable, farmers under the program will shift to long-term supply agreements that promise stable markets both locally and abroad, integrating Narra’s growers into Brunei’s rice supply chain.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen Narra’s agricultural economy, improve farmer incomes and position the Palawan town as a key player in the BIMP-EAGA food security corridor.