Stacks of sacks of palay seeds for distribution. Photo by Ernie Esconde
SAMAL, Bataan — The Department of Agriculture on Thursday started distributing free palay seeds to farmers here in time for the dry season planting.
Municipal agriculturist Nora Medina said the distribution is part of the government’s Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Program (RCEP) implemented by the DA.
RCEP was created under Republic Act 11203 to improve the competitiveness level and increase the income of local farmers.
Medina said there are 984 hectares of rice lands in Samal but only 700 hectares tilled by 985 farmers are included under the program.
For distribution Thursday were 1,400 sacks of 20-kilo per bag palay seeds. A farmer received free seeds depending on the area he tills beginning at two bags per hectare.
Medina said that to follow after the palay seeds is the distribution of free Urea fertilizers of at two bags per hectare at the least.
She said that farmers not benefitted under RCEP will also be assisted by the agriculture department under its Expanded Inbred, Hybrid Program.
