The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) awarded a seed allocation amounting to P162.785 million to farmers in Negros Occidental under the agency’s Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program.
Data on Wednesday, Jan. 29, showed that for this year’s wet season, Negros Occidental will receive 118,592 bags at 20 kilogram per bag with an estimated coverage area of 54,676 hectares while for the 2026 dry season, 76,128 bags will be allocated to the province with an estimated coverage area of 35,096 hectares.
The seed allocation will be delivered from March to December this year.
“This is part of the shared commitment towards advancing rice farming in the province by ensuring access to high-quality rice seeds for local farmers to boost rice production,” DA-PhilRice Negros Branch Director Ommal Abdulkadil said in a statement.
Abdulkadil turned over the certificate of seed allocation to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City on Tuesday.
The two officials also discussed the ongoing concern on the public road running through the DA-PhilRice Negros Station premises in Barangay Cansilayan, Murcia, acknowledging “the need for a balanced solution that maintains public access while protecting the operational needs of the research facility”.
“We fully support PhilRice and recognize its important role in empowering rice farmers,” Lacson said as he challenged the DA-PhilRice to achieve higher rice yield targets to strengthen the province’s role as a rice agricultural leader.
In response, Abdulkadil emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation in driving better rice communities by uplifting rice farmers and ensuring a thriving rice industry in Negros Occidental.*PNA