Western Visayas farmers to receive more RCEF seeds

Rice farmers in Western Visayas will receive a bigger allocation of certified inbred seeds this wet season under updated Phase 2 guidelines of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

Engr. Rojen F. Austria, RCEF coordinator of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Negros Occidental, said that the allocation was increased from two 20-kg bags per hectare to three bags or a total of 60 kg, following requests from farmers and local government units for support better suited to the region’s farming practices.

“Under the revised scheme, farmers cultivating 0.1-0.33 ha will receive one bag, while those with 0.34-0.66 ha will get two bags. Farmers managing 0.67- 1 ha will receive three bags,” Austria explained.
He added that farmers tilling more than 1 up to 10 ha will receive up to 30 bags.

The increase is expected to benefit areas where direct seeding is widely practiced.

In Calinog, Iloilo, officer-in-charge municipal agriculturist Rosalio L. Gonzales said the method typically requires a higher seeding rate of around 80-160 kg/ha to establish a healthy crop stand and help protect fields from pests such as golden apple snails, rodents, and birds.

Meanwhile, Albert G. Estoya, municipal agriculturist of Sibalom, Antique, said the added allocation will also help ensure adequate seed supply for farmers practicing direct seeding.

Farmer Regina D. Jotajero of Lambunao, Iloilo said the additional allocation will help reduce production costs.

“We are grateful for the additional 20 kg because it lessens our expenses for buying seeds. We can now save the PhP1,350 that we usually allocate for an extra bag of seeds,” she said.