Ormoc Lobbies for Reinclusion into Gov Rice Program

Ormoc lobbies for its reinclusion in GMA rice program.

The City Agriculture Services Office (Caso) is lobbying for the reinclusion of Ormoc farmers in the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Hybrid Rice Commercialization Program so they can avail themselves of seeds at subsidized prices.

This was bared at the City Development Council meeting after councilor Gregorio Monte of barangay Doña Feliza Mejia said rice seeds are cheaper in neighboring Kananga town. He said he bought rice seeds at Nahine Seed Grower in Tugbong, Kananga, at a subsidized price of only P1,200 per 40-kilo bag.

Judith Paredes, OIC of support services and coordination division of Caso, said they sell rice seeds at P3,500 a bag. They used to sell it at P2,500 a bag under the Hybrid Rice Commercialization Program.

Ormoc was one of the first local governments that availed itself of the program when it was launched in 2004.

But the program was meant only to promote hybrid seeds and limited the subsidy to three croppings only. Now that Ormoc farmers are dependent on hybrid seeds, the DA is prioritizing other towns where hybrid-rice planting isn’t widespread.

Paredes clarified that what Monte bought were the cheaper-priced certified inbred seeds, which are not promoted by Ormoc.

The Caso reiterated the DA should reintroduce the subsidy program to Ormoc so that local farmers can contribute in making up for the lost harvest in Luzon brought about by the devastation of rice lands by typhoons.

By Business Mirror

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