Agri, agrarian reform offices tie up for rice program

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) signed on March 28 a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that calls for a tie-up venture between two government agencies aimed to increase rice yield of farmers in the agrarian reform communities (ARCs) of the country.

In Western Visayas, DAR has reported almost 80 percent completion of land distribution services to agrarian reform beneficiaries of which ARCs were established with farming as the main source of livelihood.

DA, DAR, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other government agencies are jointly implementing the convergence program approach in the region to tackle poverty in the countryside by increasing farm production and sustain food sufficiency.

The MOU, which aims to increase rice yield while reducing farm expenses, stipulates that DA through PhilRice will train farmer-leaders in the ARCs on rice production technologies using the PalayCheck system, an integrated crop management approach.

Farmer-leaders will also be trained on business management and in the operation and maintenance of the farm machinery and tools that will be provided by DAR to the agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Lakbay-Palay, PhilRice’s Institutional Field Day for farmers, highlighted technologies that could help the country achieve rice self-sufficiency by 2013. These technologies include new varieties, farm machines, diagnostic tools for nutrient deficiencies, and recommendations on land preparation and water management. (Lydia C. Pendon)