Manila, Feb. 4 -- The Philippines continues to deepen its ties with Japan in agriculture, trade, and food security following a productive ministerial visit by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to meet new Agriculture Minister and the Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Norikazu Suzuki, in Japan from Jan. 26 to 29.

According to a Department of Agriculture (DA) news release on Wednesday, Tiu Laurel secured a grant for a Rice Processing System (RPS) in the National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Cauayan City, Isabela, with the grant agreement set to be signed within February.

The facility, which is scheduled for immediate implementation, will help reduce post-harvest losses, enhance t...