Farmer-partners in the technology demonstrations under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program promote the use of farm machines to minimize rice production costs.
Following farm recommendations in the demo sites dubbed as Palay Sikatan, farmers Eduardo Cabago and Jonathan de Guia shared the benefits of using machines on crop establishment.
The said farmers, who offered their farms in Mabitac, Laguna to showcase farm machines and recommended rice varieties, said they saved P4,000 by using a walk-behind rice transplanter.
“We used to spend P4,500 with manual transplanting. That’s why we’re happy that this machine was introduced in our community because it has significantly decreased our costs in rice planting,” they said.
Meanwhile, Ismael Abrina from San Vicente, Palawan, said that he only used less than 40kg of certified inbred seeds in a hectare with the help of drum seeder.
“I still have 10 kg of NSIC Rc 218 left from the 40 kg after using a drum seeder. I also saved time in seeding because the machine is very efficient,” Abrina shared.
The RCEF-Seed Program is a component of Republic Act 11203 or Rice Tariffication Law, signed by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, which allots P10 billion fund every year for the rice farmers. Sponsored by Sen. Cynthia Villar, the program is a six-year government initiative to help the farmers compete in the international rice market.
PhilRice leads the RCEF-Seed Program and is the government’s lead agency on rice research and development mandated to help ensure a rice-secure Philippines. With eight stations across the country, its programs and projects are in line with the DA’s “Masaganang Ani, Mataas na Kita” battlecry.
For more information about the Institute’s program, queries can be sent thru PhilRice Text Center (0917 111 7423) or email prri.mail@philrice.gov.ph.
