Manila, April 22 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday renewed his administration's push for agricultural modernization, announcing that 150 rice processing systems have already been built nationwide, with more lined up for completion and construction starting this year.

Speaking at the launch and turnover of key agriculture support projects in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, Marcos said the government aims to establish rice processing facilities in every major rice-producing province to improve productivity and farmer income.

Among the facilities launched was the Rice Processing System II, which Marcos said was designed to raise milling recovery rates from 55 percent to as high as 65 percent, reducing post-harvest losses by 32,...