BAGS OF QUALITY RICE SEEDS DISTRIBUTED TO FARMERS IN UPI
To ensure that farmers get the farm input support they need for continued production especially during this trying time, the MAFAR through its Rice Program, headed by Regional Rice Program Focal Person Tong A. Abas, delivered today (May 5, 2020) a total of 688 bags of rice seeds in Upi, Maguidanao.
Two hundred thirty-eight (238) bags of the seeds were Registered Rice Seeds with package of granular and foliar fertilizers, and pesticides, 350 bags were Certified Rice Seeds, and 100 bags were Hybrid Rice Seeds with package of urea, complete and foliar fertilizers, and pesticides.
Provincial Agricultural Officer Abdulnasser K. Badawi said the activity also aimed at helping the farmers who are really in need. “We hope that after three to four months, we will see all of you smiling because of high production”, PAO Badawi added.
Meanwhile, Dr Ronjamin Maulana, Maguindanao Operations Officer, briefly explained the overview of the project. He said that the farm inputs given to the farmers will surely help them in attaining higher yield. He then encouraged the farmers to plant immediately to ensure proper timing of planting as its season is from May to June.
Municipal Agricultural Officer Dimacisil Akmad mentioned the varieties of the seeds provided such as NSIC Rc438, NSIC Rc238, NSIC Rc222, NSIC Rc440, NSIC Rc204 and NSIC Rc350. Each farmer will receive an allocation of one bag of rice seeds as their starting input. He then clarified that the registered seeds were allocated and shall only be given to the accredited seed growers.
There are 172 individual farmers in the municipality who have been targeted to promote seed exchange to their co-farmers to increase the production among them. It is also a way to encourage each farmer to continue engaging in their farming activities.
The Local Government Unit of Upi, through Municipal Chair and SB Member Alex Peñalosa expressed their warmest appreciation for the interventions the farmers received. He said the intervention will provide them another chance to rise amid the Corona Virus Disease (CoViD)-19 Pandemic. He also inspired his co-farmers to use the seeds wisely for them to benefit for a longer time.