October launch of Masagana rice programs eyed

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The Department of Agriculture (DA) is targeting to launch by October this year two programs that are aimed at bolstering the country’s rice production, an official of the department said on Tuesday.

In a chance interview, Agriculture Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the DA would seek an additional budget of P4 billion to implement Masagana 150 and Masagana 200 rice production programs.

Masagana 150 is targeting a yield of 7.5 tons of inbred rice per hectare at a production cost of P8.38 per kilo. This will translate to a net profit of at least P50,000 per hectare for farmers and a market price of P27.50 per kilo.

Masagana 200 targets a yield of 10 tons of hybrid rice per hectare at a production cost of P7.82 per kilo.

De Mesa told reporters both initiatives would be initially funded by the agency’s National Rice Program and the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.