The first national assembly organized by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) through its Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Program Management Office fostered closer coordination and unified actions among Provincial Agriculture Offices (PAOs).
Attended by more than 50 provincial agriculturists nationwide, the assembly aimed to shore up collaboration for a more seamless exchange of information through shared systems and updates on services offered to farmers, implementation guidelines, and coordinated efforts to ensure effective and efficient program delivery. This direction is anchored on the convergence of all RCEF implementing agencies and NRP to deliver integrated interventions on the ground.
In RCEF phase 2, all components are aligned with the MASAGANA Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP) of the Department of Agriculture (DA), which provides a unified framework for rice-related initiatives and aims to achieve rice security, uplift the livelihoods of farmers and communities, and ensure the sustainability of the rice industry.
The convergence will avoid duplication of efforts and instead complement each other, which ensures services are harmonized.
As key partners at the grassroots level, PLGUs play a major role in ensuring that RCEF services reach farmer-beneficiaries and in communicating local needs to national agencies.
“The provincial local government units remain as our primary partners. You serve as our bridge in ensuring that every program reaches the farmers. You also play a key role in conveying their voices to us,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
To expand support to farmers, included in the RCEF extension are other priority programs, activities, and projects, including composting facilities for biodegradable waste, pest and disease management, solar-powered water irrigation or water impounding irrigation projects, soil health improvement, and farming support programs of the DA and NIA on contract farming.
The Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) serves as a reliable source of updated information for farmers to identify intended beneficiaries and avoid duplication of interventions.
The RCEF programs will also channel through a clustering approach that will help farmers become value chain players, ensure collaboration, inclusivity, and shared growth across communities.
