Recognizing the major role of women in Philippine agriculture, the Department of Agriculture (DA) bats for a stronger, gender-inclusive seed system to further boost food production and farmers’ incomes.

“Under the Duterte administration, the DA will continue to empower women farmers, being indispensable partners of their farmer-husbands, brothers, or sons. Together, they form our formidable food security army,” said Agriculture Secretary William Dar.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar challenged the Filipino youth, specifically graduating college students, to make a difference by engaging in an agri-fishery enterprise.

CALABARZON – In partnership with Radyo Natin 106.3 Laguna, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Calabarzon resumed its information caravan on RCEF for the province of Laguna through a radio program, dubbed as “TalaPalayan: Talakayan ukol sa RCEF Program” after it was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mary Grace Leidia, Rice Focal Person of ATI IV-A, answered questions about the Rice Tariffication Law and its RCEF program during TalaPalayan’s pilot airing on August 4, 2020.

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – Last July 20, 2020, the first episode of the “Rise with Rice: A Radio Program on Inbred Rice Seeds Production and Farm Mechanization” under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Program was launched at DXDB-AM or Radyo Bandilyo in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon – In order to spread the word and brief not only farmers, as well as stakeholders regarding the Rice Tarrification Law or RA11203, a radio program for it was launched at a local radio station 1134 DXMV, aka Radyo Ukay, located at Valencia City, Bukidnon last July 13, 2020 with Mr. Arthur Sapanghari as its regular anchor.

CALAUAN, Laguna – The Department of Agriculture - Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech) distributed rice farm machineries to 26 Farmers Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) from the province of Laguna, at Laguna Agricultural Trading Center (LATC), on July 30, 2020.