In time for
the planting season, farmers under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund
(RCEF) program had started receiving certified rice seeds during the program’s
first distribution in Balungao, Pangasinan, October 28, 2019.
About 1,500 bags of certified seeds are given to 600
farmers in the 4th class municipality bordering Nueva Ecija to the south.
“You’re lucky to be the first beneficiaries of this
program. The government gives this support for you to be more competitive so I
urge you to do your part for you to gain more from farming amidst challenges,”
Maria Theresa Peralta, town mayor said.
Ms. Peralta encouraged farmers to plant the certified
seeds as this can increase yield by 10 percent.
“Please do not sell what you have received. The grain
from this bag might lead you to prosperity,” she said.
Under the program, farmers who are listed in the Registry
System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) of the Department of
Agriculture can receive 20-80kg of high-quality rice seeds for two consecutive
seasons. After two seasons, farmers are still entitled to the program benefits
if their municipality achieves the target yield.
Dominica Lobusta, one of the beneficiaries, said the
distributed seeds would help them cope with the low rice price.
“Palay price is quite low this season at PHP11-PHP14 a
kilo. But we hope to rise from this challenge through this provision. Seeds are
certified so we can also expect high yield,” she said.
Farmers can also avail of machines, credit, and training
from RCEF program. (PhilRice news)
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