Farmers in Marinduque are preparing for the 2025 dry season with the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) distributing about 5,000 bags of certified inbred seeds to cover 2,253ha.
The largest share of the allocation, 1,592 bags is designated for Santa Cruz, where farmers have already claimed 1,000 bags for 734ha. Additional benefits will extend to farmers in Boac, Buenavista, Gasan, Mogpog, and Torrijos.
Philippine Rice Research Institute in Los Baños, Laguna in collaboration with the provincial agricultural offices, aims to ensure the seeds are delivered by November to facilitate timely planting.
Marcelo Limbo, president of the Aturan Farmers’ Association in Santa Cruz, highlighted the significant yield increases achieved with NSIC Rc 216, reporting a rise from 0.4 to 0.8t/ha.
“This variety I received through the RCEF Seed Program has proven resilient against adverse weather conditions,” he shared.
Other than distributing free certified inbred seeds, RCEF also provides comprehensive training for farmers and agricultural extensionists in the province.
Palay Tekno Gabay forum, which covered essential topics such as land preparation and pest management, and the nine-day Training of Trainers on Pest and Nutrient Management were conducted to equip agriculture workers with knowledge on safe pesticide handling and rice morphology, which they will also present and share to the farmers.
Over 5,000 information, education, and communication materials will also be distributed to 1,656 farmer-beneficiaries across Marinduque’s six municipalities.
