Farmers Receive ₱6.4 Million Worth of Rice Seeds from DA

Inbred and hybrid seeds are expected to be distributed to farmers cultivating 1.8 million hectares (ha) over 15 regions, the Department of Agriculture (DA) disclosed over the past week. The DA aims to provide the farmers with relief from high input costs through this program. The Department’s National Rice Program (NRP) will spearhead the program to target sufficient distribution in time for dry and wet cropping seasons.

“NRP has dispensed ₱5.32 million worth of hybrid seed and ₱1.11 million worth of certified seed to eligible farmer-beneficiaries this year,” explained Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Operations Arnel de Mesa. Additionally, more than ₱6.4 million worth of seeds have been given out to farmers cultivating 582,780 hectares.

De Mesa noted that the government will also put forward vouchers for discounted fertilizer, and the DA gives vouchers “amounting to ₱1,131 for every hectare planted with inbred (seed), and ₱2,262 for every hectare planted with hybrid.” Incentives are to be given to farmers using high-yield seeds, with the program being accessible to rice farmers in the agriculture registry. 

Beneficiaries may also acquire different kinds of fertilizer and bio-stimulants, De Mesa added. He furthered that “except for the National Capital Region (NCR) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), all regions are included in the voucher program.” As of August 4, the DA cited that 176,394 vouchers worth ₱285 million have been produced.

Nitrogen-fixing bio-fertilizer, which can lessen fertilizer use by 25% to 50% while yielding the same quantity and quality in production has also been distributed and promoted by the NRP. De Mesa elaborated that “except NCR, this initiative covers 200,000 ha of irrigated (with intermittent irrigation) or favorable rainfed areas across the country.”

Source: BusinessWorld