Farmers’ Cooperative and Associations (FCAs) in Lupon, Davao Oriental will help distribute certified inbred seeds under Binhi e-Padala (BeP) 2.0, a move expected to bring seed delivery closer to farmers and ease local agriculture offices’ workload.
The rollout under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program was discussed during a recent technical briefing in Mati City, Davao Oriental.
Judith G. Dagpin, municipal rice coordinator of Lupon, said the upgraded system will allow farmers’ groups to manage seed distribution more directly.
“We are thankful for this initiative as this will help us empower our FCAs to manage their farmer-members on their own,” Dagpin said.
Lupon was the lone implementer of BeP 1.0 in Davao Oriental during the first phase of RCEF Seed Program.
Dagpin said the earlier system helped make seed distribution more efficient, allowed farmers to receive their preferred varieties, and reduced the workload of the municipal agriculture office.
These communities will be registered through the BeP Community Registration Information System, a one-time registration system that will help build the database of BeP Communities.
Pablo M. Colonia, Tagua Rice Farmers Irrigators Association president, said farmer groups are ready to take on their role under the upgraded system.
“Our association is happy to know that the system trusts us to handle the seed distribution. We can assess our farmers and their areas better,” he said.
He also said that farmer associations are in a good position to validate rice areas and identify the needs of their members because they work directly with farmers in the community.
Colonia added that the use of technologies may encourage more young people to consider rice farming as it can make farm-related work more efficient.
He also emphasized that adopting new systems shows that farmers’ groups are adjusting to current needs while helping sustain rice farming for the next generation.
