Farmers start benefitting from rice tariffication law

The initial implementation of the rice competitiveness enhancement program (RCEP) under the rice tariffication law (RTL) has resulted in additional yield and income to local rice farmers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

The agency said it surveyed more than 4,000 RCEP beneficiaries in 55 provinces who reported an additional yield of 440 kilos or close to 9 cavans per hectare (ha), which DA said was owed largely to the inbred seeds they distributed under the program.

Philippine Rice Research Institute socioeconomics division chief Jesusa Beltran said the yield increment, valued at an average of P17 a kilo of dry palay, translated to almost P7,500 per ha in additional income, thus enabling farmers and their families cope with the financial drain brought by the new coronavirus pandemic.

The RTL has been met with a lot of criticisms since its enactment, especially with the slow implementation of its programs under RCEP.

Annually, a P10-billion subsidy is given to farmers for the distribution of seeds (P3 billion), equipment (P5 billion), extension services (P1 billion) and credit (P1 billion).

Between March and July, the DA, through PhilRice, distributed more than 2 million bags of certified inbred seeds to 750,000 farmers tilling more than 855,000 ha.

“With more farmers reached this wet season, a more positive outlook in rice production is expected this second semester under favorable weather conditions,” PhilRice RCEF program management office director Flordeliza Bordey said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority said during the first semester, palay production increased to 8.39 million metric tons from 8.27 million MT. INQ