DA allots P1.06B for rice resiliency project in Western Visayas

BACOLOD. DA-Western Visayas Regional Director Remelyn Recoter
(File photo)
BACOLOD. DA-Western Visayas Regional Director Remelyn Recoter (File photo)

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas is gearing up for an increase of 0.3 to 1.5 metric tons per hectare yield in the region with the P1.06 billion allocation under the agency’s Rice Resiliency Project (RRP).

The regional line agency, in a statement, said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) recently approved the P8.5 billion budget for the nationwide implementation of RRP.

Considered as the country’s third-largest rice-producing region, Western Visayas will be getting 12 percent of the pie.

Of which, almost half will be used to boost the rice productivity in Iloilo province being the top producing province in Region 6 and top five nationwide.

DA-Western Visayas regional executive director Remelyn Recoter said as instructed by Agriculture Secretary William Dar “we should not depend on other countries for our food because there are indications that Thailand and Vietnam may not be able to export their rice later due to the threats of coronavirus disease (Covid-19).”

As part of the Agri-4Ps (Plant, Plant, Plant Program), also known as the Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat kontra Covid-19, the RRP targets to increase the local rice production amid global trade uncertainties brought about by the pandemic.

“We will be starting the distribution of seeds and fertilizer by May just in time for the irrigation release by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA),” she added.

Three subprojects of the RRP will be implemented in the region including the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), the Expanded Inbred Rice Production, and the Expanded Hybrid Rice Production in Suitable Areas that will benefit about 210,000 local rice farmers.

A total of 359,756 bags of inorganic fertilizers will be distributed to RCEF beneficiaries to complement the distribution of inbred seeds covering the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) targeted 179,878 hectares of rice areas in Western Visayas.

DA-Western Visayas said farmers not included in the RCEF program will be supported under the Expanded Inbred Rice Production subproject.

Certified seeds for 15,000 hectares will be distributed to farmers alongside with 30,000 bags of fertilizer.

It said those who utilize good seeds or home-saved seeds will also be provided with fertilizer support of about 65,148 bags good for 32,574 hectares rice area for this wet planting season.

The DA, on the other hand, targets to distribute hybrid seeds under the Expanded Hybrid Rice Production sub-project for 68,234 hectares.

This is on top of the regular allocation from the National Rice Program covering 11,766 hectares.

A total of 240,000 bags of inorganic fertilizer will also be partnered with these hybrid seeds, it added.

National Seed Industry Council (NSIC)-approved hybrid and inbred varieties suitable for wet season planting will be procured by DA-Western Visayas while the national office is in charge of the fertilizer procurement.

Given the immediacy of the project, Recoter has called for the support of the local government units (LGUs) particularly the Provincial and City/Municipal Agriculture Offices on the information drive and in facilitating the input delivery and distribution to recipients.

Moreover, the NIA in Western Visayas, as a partner agency of the DA in the implementation of RRP, has committed to providing logistic support in the hauling of rice seeds and fertilizer from drop-off points to various municipalities.

It assured the LGUs of the early provision of irrigation waters for this main rice season.

Farmers listed under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) will be able to avail of the farm input subsidies under RRP. (PR)

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