A rice planting festival was held spearheaded by members of the Mayha Farmers Association in the municipality of Odiongan recently. The program is part of the Farmers Field School (FFS) on Rice Production, facilitated by the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) Regional Training Center in partnership with the Municipal Agriculture Office of Odiongan.

The objective of the program is to provide farmers with a refresher on agricultural practices, particularly in rice production, from seed selection to post-harvest handling. Through this initiative, farmers gain valuable knowledge and skills to enhance their agricultural productivity.

Over half a hectare of land owned by Alma Buenaflor was planted with various inbred rice varieties, such as the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) Rice Varieties 216, 160, 218, 402, and 508.

According to Municipal Agriculturist Rexford Famisaran, the rice planting festival serves as a platform for farmers to apply their learnings in a practical setting, promoting hands-on experience and ensuring a better understanding of the rice production process.

In this year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., he cited his administration’s aim to boost the Philippines’ local agricultural production.

“Our aim is to boost our local agricultural production—through consolidation, modernization, mechanization, and improvement of value chains—augmented by timely and calibrated importation, as needed,” said President Marcos.

“Nakita nating tumaas nang 2.2 percent ang sektor ng agrikultura sa unang tatlong buwan ng taong ito,” added PBBM.

Famirisan added that by equipping farmers with updated agricultural techniques and best practices, the program aims to improve rice production in the province. At least 25 farmers joined the festival. (PJF/GATS/PIA MIMAROPA)