“The Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) is real. As rice farmers, we either let it defeat us or fight back. We can only fight if we change our paradigm and our usual way of farming. If we want to survive and triumph, we have to treat our farming as a business. We have to use proven technologies to decrease our cost of production and increase our income. The 30-6 challenge posed to us by the program is for us to reduce cost of production by 30% and aim for a 6 Tons yield. We need to fight back. Diversify our farms. Produce quality products needed by the market. The law is our commitment to the World Trade Organization and we have to honor it”. This is how Ms. Noemi Beth G. Macario, OIC Assistant Center Director of the ATI-RTC X usually begins her explanation on the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), during the series of information caravans conducted in the region.

Ms. Macario, a rice agripreneur herself, talks about how and why the RTL came about and how the income from such tariff would benefit the rice farmers. It was often mentioned that rice farmers are lucky enough compared to other farming sectors in the country, since it is the only sector that has a law providing for the tariff or tax collection to be used solely for the benefit of the people in the (rice) sector. She also discussed the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), the fund that is raised because of rice tariffs and its four components that will support the farmers to raise rice production and income through mechanization, training and technology updates.

The series of eight information caravans which started in October 21, 2019 was conducted in the four provinces of the region; Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Bukidnon, targeting the 47 pilot rice producing municipalities. The information caravans which was led by the ATI-RTC X was supported by the concerned agencies. Present during the eight days series were the DA-National Seed Quality Control representative Ms. Rhea Connie C. Villas and Mr. Hilario Yonson, Jr. of PhilRice, who talked about the Seed Component, Ms Joylie May Caumban of ATI-RTC X to discuss the Extension component, Mr. Paolo Miguel Diputado of the DA-RFO X to answer queries on the DA programs. Some Provincial/Area Representatives of PhilMech, TESDA, Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines also joined the team in the said activity.

One of the frequently asked questions during the information caravans was the non-provision of fertilizer in the program. The team assured the participants that their concerns will be brought to the higher management.

There are already a total of 1,450 rice farmer participants who were able to listen to the RTL and the benefits they will be getting through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. Two more information caravans will still be conducted in Maramag, Bukidnon on November, 8, 2019 and in valencia City for Media Partners on November 12, 2019..

The series of information caravans usually ends with the encouragement of the people to just try and be cooperative of the program, since the government is doing its best to help the rice farmers.