THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has increased the maximum number of bags of seeds to be given to farmer-beneficiaries of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).
These farmers were affected by the Rice Tariffication Law, which allows private traders to import rice unlimitedly as long as they pay the 35 percent tariff.
“We are increasing the maximum number of bags per farmer from four to six bags of rice seeds,” Agriculture secretary William Dar said Monday.
As the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law will turn a year on Mar. 5, Dar said the department has distributed 1.2 million bags of rice seeds to 709 municipalities so far.
He added that 491,000 beneficiaries can use these for 619,000 hectares of field.
The RCEF provides P3 billion for seedlings.
In line with the enhancement of farmers’ capacity, Dar said the department has established four demonstration sites for dry season to showcase the best practices in rice production.
The DA also extended its work for education with at least 295 farming schools in the country. (GMA News)
