Manila: The Philippine Rice Institute (PhilRice) - Agusan has commenced the distribution of inbred certified seeds to farmers in Agusan del Sur. The initiative involves the allocation of a total of 7,763 bags of seeds to 2,045 targeted beneficiaries as part of the Binhing E-Padala program.

According to Philippines News Agency, PhilRice Agusan distributed over 1,000 bags to nearly 100 farmers in Veruela on Thursday. This town has been allocated approximately 3,000 bags, intended for more than 1,000 rice farmers. Reynick Namalata, the regional coordinator of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed program in the Caraga Region, highlighted that apart from Veruela, other areas included in the program are Bayugan City and the towns of Trento, Loreto, and Santa Josefa.

In Trento, 601 farmers have already received 2,152 bags of certified seeds during the distribution event held on Wednesday. The program allocates two sacks of seeds to farmers with a one-hectare rice farm, while those with two hectares are provided with four bags of certified rice seeds. Namalata emphasized that the distribution efforts will persist in the remaining towns covered under the program, with plans to complete the process before the end of the month.