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The implementation of the Rice Resiliency Project (RRP) by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region IV-CALABARZON under the Plant, Plant, Plant Program has moved a step closer in its goal of achieving higher rice productivity this wet-cropping season with quality seeds and fertilizers delivered, received, and used by rice farmers across the region.

In Cavite, Laguna, and Quezon, the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program has catered for 24,382 hectares. Through RRP, the regional office has distributed 36,136 bags of fertilizers to RCEF recipients. The project has already supported a total of 19,511 farmers in all of the provinces mentioned above.

Meanwhile, a total of 3,000 hectares of inbred seed allocation were distributed for non-RCEF provinces such as Batangas and Rizal, which are under the Expanded Inbred Rice Production, coupled with a total of 6,000 fertilizer bags. About 2,093 farmers have already made the most of the support by DA through their respective city and/or municipal agriculture offices.

On the other hand, DA’s RRP, through its Expanded Hybrid Rice Production, has allotted a total of 7,306 hectares of hybrid seed allocation for those provinces which are suitable with hybrid rice seeds, accompanied by 18,342 bags of fertilizer. The interventions benefitted a total of 2,751 farmers.

Rice farmer Mr. Cleto Bustamante from Brgy. Bagumbayan, Sta. Maria, Laguna, expressed gratitude for the rice project of the agriculture department. “We are still experiencing difficulty, but with the support provided by the DA, the uncertainty that we normally have on where we’re going to get our farming needs is being eased,” he said.

Ms. Maria Fe Carrillo, Business Manager of Samahan ng Organikong Magsasaka in Brgy. Pook, Pila, Laguna, also pointed out how appreciative she was of the Department’s assistance. “Because of this intervention, we are able to save almost ten percent of our expenses per hectare,” she shared.

Distribution of seeds and urea fertilizers will continue in coordination with city and/or municipal agriculture offices to cater to more farmers in the region. • (MAP, DA-RAFIS)

[Photos Courtesy of Mr. John Vicent Mercadejas, Mr. Arman Janolo, Ms. Jhoanna Santiago, Mr. Ronald Dequito delos Reyes, Ms. Anathalia Garcia Tolentino, Mr. Allan Andaya, Ms. Lecel Pardilla, and Ms. Ester Escalona Munlawin]