GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) — The regional field office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Soccsksargen credited the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) program as a key factor in the region’s rice production sustainability.
The RCEF program is responsible for providing farmers with cash assistance, training, and modern machinery.
“Meron tayong binibigay na five thousand [pesos] to every farmer, kalakip niyan nagbibigay din tayo ng mga trainings, mga makinarya natin like tractors, farm harvesters, planters. ‘Yan ang mga tulong ng DA, ng gobyerno, para sa mga farmers, para mas lalong mapadali at makatipid ng mga inputs, para lumaki ‘yung kita ng mga farmer,” Regional Executive Director Roberto Perales explained during the recent Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas held recently.
(We provide P5,000 to every farmer, along with training and machinery such as tractors, farm harvesters, and planters. These are the forms of assistance from the DA and the government to help farmers, making their work easier and reducing input costs, ultimately increasing their income.)
According to him, this support reduces labor costs, improves yield quality, and increases overall farm productivity, ultimately enhancing the competitiveness of local rice production.
Moreover, Dr. Lorna Vilbar described RCEF as the bigger program that distributes high-quality rice seeds to farmers beyond the Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance (RFFA) program.
“Ang malalaki pong component ng RCEF ay ang rice farm machineries and equipment. Meron din po tayong seed development propagation and promotion, and also with our rice extension services, at yung credit, ‘yan po yung malalaki na meron po tayong P10 billion na worth of our RCEF fund,” she shared.
(The major components of RCEF are rice farm machinery and equipment. We also have seed development, propagation, and promotion, as well as rice extension services and credit. These are the major components supported by our P10 billion RCEF fund.)
Vilbar added that RCEF includes comprehensive training programs aimed at equipping rice farmers with the latest agricultural practices and technologies, beyond the usual cash assistance.
According to her, the training sessions cover a wide range of topics, including modern farming techniques, proper machinery usage, pest management, and sustainable farming practices.
Vilbar also rationalized that increasing farmers’ knowledge and skills will hasten their empowerment process, resulting in improved productivity and profitability in a competitive market. (HJF – PIA SarGen)
