DA distributes 8.5k bags of rice seeds to Butuan farmers

The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Philippine Rice Research Institute- Agusan, has distributed more than 8,500 bags of certified inbred rice seeds for free to farmers in Butuan City, according to the agency's Facebook post on Monday.

According to the DA, the rice seeds were of high-quality, which was a key factor for the sufficiency, profitability and competitiveness of rice production.

Each bag of rice seeds weighed 20 kilograms.

Jerry Libago, one of the beneficiaries of the rice seed distribution, expressed his gratitude.

Libago, who experienced an accident that impaired his ability to walk four years ago, said that farmers like him had to spend around P 1500 to buy 40 kilograms of rice seeds for a hectare of land.

"The low buying price of palay, which is P15 to P16 and the high cost of farm inputs affected our income. But through the free certified inbred seeds we availed, this is a big help for us, rice farmers," Libago said.

The rice seed distribution was conducted in line with the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to help rice farmers affected by the Rice Tarrification Law, said the DA.

The distribution was headed DA-PhilRice RCEF Focal Person Dr. Genevieve Nemeno and Butuan City Agriculturist Engr. Pierre Joven, in cooperation with the City Agriculture Office.

In September, the agriculture department announced that it would distribute two million bags of rice seeds to farmers in the country. -Angelica Y. Yang/NB, GMA News