The Negros Occidental provincial government received seed allocation, amounting to PHP71.33 million for the 2026 dry season, from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) under the Department of Agriculture (DA) Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) -Seed Program.
A total of 81,054 bags, at 20 kilos per bag, certified seeds will be distributed to farmers across the province with an estimated coverage area of 37,369 hectares.
Dina Genzola, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), in an interview on Wednesday said the distribution started during the kick-in ceremony hosted by Sagay City on Tuesday.
The delivery of the seed allocation will continue until February next year, based on the certificate of allocation presented by PhilRice-Negros Branch Director Ommal Abdulkadil to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.
Sagay City Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva also received the certificate of allocation for 1,200 bags of certified seeds for a coverage area of about 556 hectares worth PHP1.06 million.
“As we begin this new distribution cycle and prepare for the 2026 dry season, I encourage our farmer-beneficiaries to continue working hand in hand with your respective local government units and our RCEF implementing agencies. These partnerships are key to improving yield, reducing production costs, and ultimately increasing your income,” Lacson said.
He noted that through the RCEF program, “quality certified seeds, farm mechanization, training, and access to credit reach those who need them the most — our farmers who feed our province and our nation.”
During the ceremony, Abdulkadil awarded a special citation to the OPA for being an invaluable partner of the DA-PhilRice in implementing the RCEF Seed and Extension programs for the 2024 wet season and 2025 dry season.
“Your leadership and guidance has enabled your constituent cities and municipalities to carry out seed distribution activities and achieve your seasonal targets, helping further advance our shared goal of improving the income and competitiveness of our rice farmers in Negros Occidental,” he added.
The Rice Tariffication Law created RCEF to help rice farmers prosper and become globally competitive.
Under the program, the DA-PhilRice is mandated to develop, propagate, and promote high-quality inbred rice seeds nationwide and co-implement the Rice Extension Services Program.
According to the DA-PhilRice, “the seed component of RCEF is hoped to contribute to increasing yield up to six tons per hectare in high-yielding provinces and five tons per hectare in medium-yielding provinces by 2024.”
“The program also aims to lower production cost by 30 percent, reduce postharvest losses to 12 percent, and trim down marketing cost by PHP1 per kg,” it added. (PNA)