MARAMAG, Bukidnon --- Along with the passage of the Rice Tarrification Law, or RA 11203, the demand for Inbred Rice Seeds has shot up. This is mostly because of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, wherein its Seed Program allows for the distribution of Inbred Rice Seeds to the different municipalities under RCEF. Thus, it created an opportunity for Seed Growers.

In support to this dire need of Seed Growers, the Center had conducted a Training Course on Inbred Rice Seed Production and Certification for Seed Growers at Maramag, Bukidnon from March 2, 2020 until March 6, 2020.

The opening program was attended by Ms. Amelyn Obial from the Municipal Agriculture Office of Maramag; Ms. Deliza T. Camaro, Mr. Paulo Miguel Diputado and Mr. Edgar Bentuan from the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office X; Engr. Ian D. Madjus and Engr. Jan Rorilei C. Alima from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization.

“We need to expand [the area for seed growers] because of the high demand under RCEF. We know that for Inbred Seeds alone, we have three billion. So, there is a very big opportunity,” says Ms. Camaro, the POC of Bukidnon from DA-RFO X.

On the otherhand, Engr. Madjus shared some of their programs with regards to Rice Mechanization. Accordingly, he said, “The more mechanized a farm is, the higher is its production and the lesser is its production cost.”

The training participants will be engaged into a practicum activity on March 5, 2020 at PhilRice CMU, Maramag, Bukidnon and are expected to graduate on March 6, 2020. The graduates of the activity are eligible to register themselves as Seed Growers, provided that they will comply all the requirements.