Department of Agriculture Boosts Bicol Rice Production in Preparation for La Niña

QUEZON CITY — In anticipation of the La Niña weather phenomenon, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has initiated a strategic distribution of agricultural supplies to rice farmers across the Bicol Region to secure a stable rice supply during the upcoming wet cropping season.

According to Philippines News Agency, chief of the DA-Bicol information office, the department has provided substantial support to local farmers, including over 60,000 bags of hybrid rice and 147,700 certified seeds from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). This initiative targets a total of 103,675 hectares of rice fields in the region for the current planting season. “The 60,205 bags of hybrid rice will be added to the 147,700 certified seeds distributed to registered rice farmers in the six provinces,” Guarin stated during a Monday interview.

The distribution breakdown per province includes substantial allocations for Camarines Sur, Albay, and Sorsogon among others, ensuring widespread support across the region. Guarin detailed that in addition to seeds, the DA has also issued PHP3,400 worth of fertilizer discounts per hectare and PHP5,000 in financial aid to farmers managing two hectares or less. Moreover, the introduction of biofertilizers aims to reduce production costs and improve soil health, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers.

The DA Bicol Rice program has also generated 50,972 fertilizer discount vouchers, with 5,972 already claimed by local farmers, prioritizing those cultivating hybrid rice. Under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, a total of PHP734 million has been disbursed among 145,153 eligible rice farmers, providing each with PHP5,000 in cash assistance.

DA-Bicol Regional Executive Director Rodel Tornilla has urged farmers to begin planting immediately to mitigate the potential impact of La Niña, which is forecasted to have a 69 percent likelihood of affecting the region between July and September. “To those farmers who did not plant in June, I hope you can now get the seeds from your Municipal Agriculturists/City Agriculturists so that they can be planted immediately before the end of July and we can harvest before the last quarter when the storms possibly come,” Tornilla encouraged.