DA to distribute sorghum seeds to farmers

MANILA  -The Department of Agriculture (DA) will attempt to arrest the declining local production of sorghum, one of the world’s most important cereal crops, to ensure enough supplies for Filipino consumers.

The DA has set the guidelines on the one-time distribution of sorghum seeds to registered farmers who belong to a cooperative or association. Sorghum is used to make bread and beverages, among others.

“In order to prevent further decrease in local production, assurance of ample supply of good quality and high germinating seeds must be guaranteed,” the DA said in a memorandum order.

The sorghum seeds will be distributed through an active farmer organization. The program is open to farmers who are registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture and bonafide members of farmers’ cooperatives and associations.

Quality seeds will be distributed at a ratio of 10 kilograms per hectare.

After harvest, farmer-beneficiaries must return the same volume of seeds to the farmer organization.

Subsequently, the organization will collect, store and notify the DA’s regional field office, via the regional sorghum focal person, to retrieve the same volume of seeds received.

Eligible farmers are not compelled to return the volume of seeds received from the agency in case of crop failure due to natural calamities. However, they need to provide proof within 10 working days.

They will be assisted in his/her farm rehabilitation under a seed reserve program and/or indemnification claim with Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. INQ