BACOLOD City – The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has started distributing free certified rice seeds worth P174 million to around 57,000 Negrense farmers as part of the implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).
PhilRice-Negros Occidental director Gerardo Estoy Jr. said they initially released the seed allocation for two local government units and will complete the distribution to the 29 remaining towns and cities in the province by the second week of December, in time for the planting season.
Estoy, with the provincial government officials led by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, distributed around 2,773 bags of certified rice seeds to Valladolid farmers at the provincial capitol here on Nov. 19.
Meanwhile, around 2,035.5 of bags were released to Sipalay City farmers on Nov. 18.
According to Estoy, Negros Occidental has a total allocation of 57,118.25 bags, covering around 51,118.25 hectares per cropping season.
Each bag of certified rice seeds was valued at around P1,520 – which means the province has an allocation of nearly P87 million for every cropping.
Estoy said the farmers were trained on various farming technologies to help them increase their yield and reduce losses.
Created under Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Tarrification Law, the RCEF, or Rice Fund, is sourced from the tariff revenues of rice being imported by the country.
Through the program, the government mainly aims to help improve the competitiveness of Filipino rice farmers and augment their income while sustaining resilience and responsiveness.
The RCEF has an annual appropriation of around P10 billion for the next six years. Of which, 50 percent will be allotted for rice farm machinery and equipment; 30 percent, rice seed development, propagation, and promotion; 10 percent, expanded rice credit assistance; and 10 percent, rice extension services.(With a report from PNA/PN)
