When rice farmers ‘cried’ at the unacceptable palay prices in 2019, Ronald Aceret of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte ‘shed tears’ with them. He figured it wasn’t the best season in his long-lived farming career. “The price was low, and so was my harvest. Deduct the fertilizers, pesticides, labor, and other farm expenses, there was almost nothing left for me to count. I was just grateful and consoled that we still had […]

Sa pagkakaroon ng kooperatiba, napalalakas ang mga magsasaka sa pamamagitan ng mga ayudang ibinibigay ng pamahalaan tulad ng libreng binhi, makina, pagsasanay, at pautang. Bukod pa diyan, nakahihirit pa ng mas mataas na presyo ng palay ang mga miyembro ng kooperatiba. Kaya naman, may asenso sa pagkakaroon ng kooperatiba dahil ani at kita ay pinatataas!

This issue of the magazine chronicles all our activities, partnerships, and success stories in the course of the mobilization of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) – Seed and Extension Programs. The RCEF journey has just begun. But the RCEF-flavored success stories of our farmers and lessons we gain excite and inspire us to continue to serve better.

Rogel Comesario’s farm in Manaoag, Pangasinan was the center of attention on March 5, 2020 as the first Rice Competitiveness Enhancement (RCEF) produce was ceremonially harvested. High-ranking national and regional government personalities graced the ceremony, engendering a virtual barrio-fiesta mood. The roaring combine harvester blended well with the output of the drum-and-lyre corps, and the loud speakers further intensified the noisy but pleasing rendition. It was musical democracy at its […]

Training programs for farmers covered by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) under the Rice Tariffication Law will continue while ensuring healthy

The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program recently delivered 2 million bags of certified inbred seeds in 950 municipalities in the country, hitting 85% of the program’s target. Dr. Flordeliza Bordey, deputy executive director of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), said that as of June 21, PhilRice had turned over 2,125,952 bags of certified inbred seeds (20kg/bag) in 55 provinces. “From this delivery, the local government units […]