One hundred rice farmers joined the Department of Agriculture (DA 9) Rice Information Caravan (InfoCar) in the municipality of Malangas in collaboration with its Attached Agencies namely; Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), National Food Authority (NFA), and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) on November 11, 2020.
As part of the celebrations of the month of November as National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM), the InfoCar is an opportunity to bring the awareness of this year’s theme, “Grow local. Buy Local. Eat Local.” to farmers themselves and to the participating local government units.
The DA – Rice Program introduces the use of certified inbred seeds distributed by PhilRice, and the high-yielding hybrid rice varieties, and encourages rice farmer association to avail the farm farm mechanization program of DA.
Resource speakers discussed rice production management; how to increase rice production and to lessen production cost including pest and insect control and management. More specifically, through the DA-Rice Crop Protection Center (RCPC), it was further discussed on proper use of pesticides and recommended the use of bio-control agents like Trichogramma Japunicum, Beauveria Basiana and Metarhizium Anisopliae to contain rice pests and diseases.
The PCIC invited farmers to avail the PCIC insurance program considering the frequent visits of typhoons, heavy rains and floods in the municipality. NFA on the other hand continuously advocate the Palay procurement program.
During the program, the rice farmers raised concerns on the low buying price of palay in the area which greatly affected their livelihood especially these rainy days. NFA informed the farmers that the agency procures ‘clean and dry’ palay at ₱ 19.00 per kilo, and emphasized that the acceptance of clean and dry palay is primarily for buffer stocking.
According to Mr. Troadio Magallanes, municipal agriculturist of Malangas, the DA rice program assistance really helped the local economy in the municipality. “We are grateful to host the DA – Rice Information Caravan, and to all the rice information technologies and the project interventions provided by the DA and other agencies because these have made a great impact in the agricultural production in our municipality with an increase fifty percent (50%) production.
DA also distributed 400 packs of Trichogramma Japunicum, 100 packs of Beauveria Basiana, and 125 packs of Metarhizium Anisopliae good for 5 hectares, during the activity.
Towards the end of the InfoCar, participants recited the Rice Pledge and committed to be responsible rice consumers. As a safety protocol, participants were required to wear face masks and strictly observe physical distancing in the duration of the program. (Inelin R. Cabeguin/DA9 PR)
Author: Inelin R. Cabeguin
Agency: Department of Agriculture ZAMPEN
Original article link:
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