DA-PhilRice Midsayap graced the ceremonial distribution of inbred rice seeds to farmers during the 2nd Founding Anniversary of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Jan. 12.
Senior development staffer Ommal H. Abdulkadil said the gesture is a testament to the steadfast partnership of the station and the BARMM Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform in support of the region’s rice industry.
For the 2021 wet season, qualified rice farmers in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur will receive in March-April around 40,000 bags of high-quality inbred seeds from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Seed Program.
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. The local government units and lawmakers assist in its implementation.
