Over 1,200 farmers, agricultural officers, extension workers, and representatives from local government units and state universities and colleges heard the good news about the possible extension of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Program during the Lakbay Palay held at the DA–PhilRice Central Experiment Station, Sep. 18-19.
“The extension of RCEF is for the farmers and cooperatives. If RCEF is extended, the tariff revenue from imported rice will help the farmers for another six years, with a potential funding increase of up to P30 billion annually to boost the rice industry’s competitiveness,” Senator Cynthia A. Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, said during the two-day Lakbay Palay with the theme “RCEF sa Bagong Pilipinas.”
The branch and satellite stations across the country have separately conducted their respective Lakbay Palay activities with 500-600 guests per day: Isabela on Sep. 4-5; Midsayap, Sep. 5-6; Los Baños, Sep. 20; Agusan, Oct. 9; Bicol, Oct. 9-11; Batac, Oct. 17-18; and Negros, Oct. 22-23.
