ATI Compound, El Salvador City---The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center X (ATI-RTC X) is up to promote and implement the extension component of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) through its slated series of information caravan.

The info caravan will also headline the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) and the rice extension services of ATI as one of the four major components of the RCEF. The Rice Tariffication Law was promulgated to ensure food security and to make the country’s agriculture sector viable, efficient and globally competitive.

The center have already had a Regional Consultation for the Extension Program Component of the RTL held last September 6, 2019 at the center’s training hall, and will closely coordinate with partner agencies such as DAR, TESDA-Region X, PAO, and DA-RFO X among others for the program implementation.

RA 11203 created the RCEF to improve rice farmers’ competitiveness and income amidst the liberalization of rice trade. It provides an annual appropriation of PhP 10 billion for the next six years following its enactment in 2019. The objective of the program is to raise the level of competency of Filipino rice farmers, and let the program be of assistance to it.

The four key programs of RCEF include (1.) Rice farm machinery and equipment; 2. Rice seed development, propagation, and promotion; 3. Expanded rice credit assistance; and 4. Rice extension services.

In ATI-RTC X, OIC-Assistant Center Director and Information Officer III Noemi Beth G. Macario as well as OIC-Center Director Maria Lydia A. Echavez continues to give briefings about the program. (with reports from Jhoylie Mae R. Caumban, DMO-II and Angelica B. Villarta, Technical Support Staff)