SOME 947 rice-producing towns in the country will receive P15 billion for farm mechanization program annually to assist farmers under the law creating the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), said Communications Sec. Martin Andanar during the daily Laging Handa Network Briefing today, Aug. 19.
The procurement of farm equipment through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), will be divided among rice-producing municipalities.
Even the Northern Mindanao agriculture department today bared an increasing farm efficiency and attain rice sufficiency through the use of hybrid rice and farm mechanization in Region 10.
DA-10 in partnership with Central Mindanao University (CMU) pushed the ceremonial planting for hybrid rice derby.
Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law mandates programs designed to protect farmers and improve their competitiveness, and the distribution of farm equipment such as tillers, tractors, seeders, threshers, rice planters, harvesters and irrigation pumps to eligible rice farmer associations and registered rice cooperatives.
“These funds are to boost agricultural production and ensure efficiency of farming activities of the 947 rice-growing towns in the country,” said Andanar.
Andanar with DA Sec. William Dar said farm mechanization aims to further increase the productivity and income of the farmers while helping them become agri-preneurs and less dependent on intensive labor in crop production.
Dar meanwhile, urged the local government units (LGUs) and local chief executives (LCEs) to continue supporting the department in ensuring food security in the country and to increase rice sufficiency level.
He added that DA has already provided numerous relief operations to farmers and he is hoping that the LGUs could implement the programs of DA so that Fillipinos will have enough food supply during this year and beyond.
“We believe we can better fight the pandemic kung meron tayong sapat at nutritious na pagkain (if we have enough and nutritious food),” Dar said.
Among the machines recommended to boost rice production include farm tractors, combine harvester, mobile rice threshers, and mechanical rice transplanter. DA provides technical and capability training for farmer associations that qualifies to avail themselves of farm machineries and equipment from the agency.
Part of the intervention in Normin, DA-10 regional executive director Carlene C. Collado and CMU President Jesus Antonio G. Derije showcased the ceremonial planting using mechanical rice transplanter (riding type) and mechanical direct seeder (riding type), August 17, with the seven participating seed companies.
The 50-hectare rice area will boost rice productivity to attain rice sufficiency through intensified use of quality seeds, appropriate inputs, modern technologies and mechanization to ensure food productivity. (Recthie Tolinero with reports from DA-10)
