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‘The Department of Agriculture – Caraga in partnership with the local government units in Agusan del Sur started the delivery and distribution of the free inbred certified seeds in the region.

The intervention is part of the agency’s Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat Kontra COVID-19, or the Plant, Plant, Plant Program under the Rice Resiliency Project (RRP). Of the ₱8.5 billion national funds for RRP, the region has ₱207 million allocations.

Around 60,000 local rice farmers in the region will benefit the intervention under the three subprojects implemented which include: the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Enhanced, the Expanded Inbred Rice Production, and the Expanded Hybrid Rice Production.

In Rosario, Agusan del Sur, around 130 rice farmers receive the inbred certified seeds through RRP’s Expanded Inbred Sub-project.

Zenaida T. Quimno, 51, from P-5 Poblacion said that the intervention will lessen her production cost for the wet cropping season.

“I spent around ₱1,500 to buy 40 kg rice seeds for a hectare, but through the free certified seeds I availed under DA’s RRP, I am now able to save it. This is a big help for me,” she shared.

For the municipality of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, about 300 rice farmers also received the said support.

Alfredo J. Jurado, 64, from P-6 Brgy. 5 shared his excitement to plant the NSIC Rc18 in his area.

“Given to have favorable weather I am looking forward to having a good harvest because I will be planting certified seeds. This is comparable from the home saved seeds that I’ve been using before,” he said.

The project targets to increase local rice production through the use of high-quality seeds and sufficient fertilization based on recommendations. The recipients will be given the option to choose among the top-performing varieties accepted in the region such as NSIC Rc 222, 18, and 160.

Aside from the free rice seeds, farmers will also be given two bags of fertilizers. To avail of free inputs, farmers must be listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). They also need to present empty sacks of their purchased fertilizer and official receipt upon claiming their free fertilizer from the Municipal/City Agriculture Office. (RHEA ABAO/DA13-RAFIS)