ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) allocated 78,171 bags of certified inbred seeds under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Program for distribution to rice farmers in Capiz.
Capiz RCEF focal person Nathally Buenbenida said that the allocated RCEF-certified seeds will be distributed in the province from October 17 to November 20, 2023, for the 2024 dry season which will be from December 2023 to May 2024.
RCEF beneficiaries from Brgy. Adlawan in Roxas City. (Photo courtesy of Roxas City mayor Ronnie Dadivas Facebook page)
As part of the rice fund’s RCEF seed program, which focuses on the development, propagation, and promotion of inbred rice seeds, some local seed growers, cooperatives, and associations have received the certified seeds.
The certified seeds selected for distribution were those resistant to disease outbreaks and insects, as well as seeds that could adapt to the local environment.
Out of 78,171 allocated certified inbred seeds, Dumarao town has the highest number of bags with a total of 9,117, followed by the town of Tapaz with 7,752 bags, and 6,728 bags for the beneficiaries in Maayon town.
With this, a beneficiary from Roxas City said he is thankful for the free seeds from the PhilRice.
“Salamat gid sa panibag-o nga binhi, kay may libre naman nga pangtanum kag maayo pa ang kalidad (Thank you very much for the free quality seeds),” said the beneficiary who refused to be named.
According to a statement from PhilRice, 4.27 million bags with 20 kilogram per bag of certified inbred rice seeds would be distributed throughout the 2023 wet and 2024 dry cropping seasons. (AGP/PLF/PIA Capiz)
