Bohol – The province of Bohol is the major rice producer in Central Visayas region. The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) program will further support the region in ensuring food security and to make the country’s agriculture sector viable, efficient and globally competitive.

The RCEF program has four main components: (i) the Mechanization Program, (ii) the Seed Program, (iii) the Credit Program, and (iv) the Extension Services Program.

The seed program – which has rice seed development, propagation, and promotion component - aims to increase the adoption of certified inbred seeds and integrated crop management by: (i) promoting and distributing certified seeds of inbred rice varieties, (ii) mobilizing and strengthening local seed production and (iii) supporting variety development.

On 6 – 8 April 2021 a Refresher Training Course on Inbred Rice Seed Production and Certification for Seed Growers was conducted in Bohol Experiment Station (BES), Gabi, Ubay, Bohol. 17 seed growers from the municipalities of Candijay, Carmen, Duero, Guindulman, Pilar, San Miguel, Talibon, Trinidad and Ubay were able to successfully complete the three-day training.

The training aims to update the rice seed growers on new applicable technologies about rice seed production systems. They were also updated about the criteria and requisites for re-accreditation and subsequent roles and responsibilities for accreditation.

In details, participants were informed about the mechanics, policies and guidelines on seed testing and certification for rice; varietal selection and characteristics of the approved National Seed Industry Council varieties; insect pest management, integrated nutrient management, and integrated cultural management for rice seed production; harvest and post-harvest technology for rice seed production; seed testing procedures and standards; and rouging, seed sampling, bagging and tagging.

The training was facilitated by Jonathan O. Sumagang, Project Officer, and assisted by Angelie B. Mencede as a member of the training management team. Jonathan O. Sumagang from Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) Region 7, Marcheta Brina from Bureau of Plant Industry - National Seed Quality Control Services (BPI-NSQCS) Region 7; Felix N. Tubiano, Rico Rommel A. Varquez and Wilfreda C. Malayao from the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office (DA-RFO) Region 7, Rogelio Davalan from DA - Soil and Water Resources Research Development Service served as resource persons.

“I have learned a lot about rice seed production through this training. I have learned about new technologies on mechanized farming systems; where they can help in minimizing production expenses and in increasing production,” said Petronilo P. Campoamor - one of the training participants.