EXECUTION OF MAFAR’S RICE PROGRAM, SOUGHT BEFORE 2019 ENDS
Regional Operations Chief Dr. Tong Pinguiaman said the meeting aimed at addressing the emerging issues and concerns on the implementation of the department’s rice program with the remaining two months of the year.
Meanwhile, Provincial Agricultural Officer Abdulnasser K. Badawi wished to have more seed growers in the province of Maguindanao and the region as a whole. He also expressed his desire to conduct an effective capacity enhancement on seed production for the farmers.
On her presentation of the National Seed Quality Control Services (NSQS) Chief Omara M. Kempa of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) discussed with the participants, composed of seed growers, seed inspectors and Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs), the Republic Act 7308 also known as Seed Industry Development Act of 1992.
Accordingly, the main objective of these rules and regulations is to ensure the proper, effective, and efficient implementation and enforcement of the provisions of the act in order to enhance the development of the Philippine seed industry.
Regional Director for Operations Dr. Daud K. Lagasi talked about the bidding and the whole procurement process for the purpose of conforming to the necessary rules and regulations for the government to ensure the best possible price, quality, terms, and all the factors that need to be considered in the provision of goods and services for the rice farmers in the province. In line with this, Maguindanao Provincial Operations Chief Dr Ronjamin M. Maulana stated that with the distribution of good quality seeds to the farmers and the right farming technologies, the agriculture sector shall be assured of accurate program implementation and the same issues and concerns in the past few administrations can be prevented.
The meeting discussions were generally on the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund (RCEF) program and regular rice program of the department. According to Director Lagasi, MAFAR will strive to implement the program within the month of November, 2019.
Regional Rice and Seed Coordinator Tong A. Abas presented the 2019 Physical Targets under the Rice Seed Production Program. He highlighted the 2,525 hectares (ha) target for seed exchange or SeedEx and 24,544 ha for seed reserve. Abas said that the target for inbred and hybrid rice model farms is 1,000 ha and 600 ha, respectively. “Everybody must be vigilant and careful in the implementation of RCEF program as it will be strictly monitored by the Senate through Senator Cynthia Villar”, Abas encouraged the group. He also asked the farmer-participants to strengthen their associations and cooperatives. “Unity and cooperation must be observed in all undertakings for the success of every MAFAR program in the province and throughout the region” Abas added.