Bohol contract farming beneficiaries 

receive hybrid seeds subsidy

By Elvira C. Bongosia

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) — Contract farming beneficiaries in the province received a total of 1,526 packs of hybrid seeds from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) at NIA Capayas Irrigation System Office in Ubay town.

This is part of the efforts of NIA to boost rice production and ensure food security to achieve rice self-sufficiency under the Marcos administration.

The seeds, requested specifically for their high yield potential, were distributed to 284 farmer-contractees after undergoing orientation on proper seed sowing.

Each pack weighing three kilograms, along with the upcoming 340 kilos of inbred seeds, is allocated based on farm size and specific needs, ensuring equitable distribution among beneficiaries in Bohol.

These seeds are part of the P50,000 worth of initial assistance per hectare for the production stage.

Other essential farm inputs for this tranche include fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, soil ameliorants, and cash support.

Once the rice is harvested, NIA will pay the farmers with cash, proportional to its actual palay production, at a P50,000 maximum based on targeted five metric tons of fresh palay per hectare.

One of the farmer-contractees, Ines A. Quiachon, a farmer from Talibon, expressed her gratitude for NIA’s initiative.

“Sa mga kadagkuan sa NIA, kang Administrator (Guillen), mapasalamaton ming mga mag-uuma nga way ikagasto sa among basak nga naa kamo naghuna-huna sa kaayohan namo– sa pagtabang namo sa among kalisod. Ang contract farming, niangay jud ko kay wa nami rason nga di mi ka produksyon ug dako kay wa mi ika-gasto,” said Quiachon.

(To the leaders of NIA, especially to the Administrator [Guillen], we, the farmers, express our heartfelt gratitude for your thoughtful consideration of our welfare and your assistance in our times of hardship. Contract farming truly appealed to us because it eliminates the financial burden, allowing us to focus on maximizing production without worrying about expenses.)

The delivery of these seeds is timely, aligning with the planting season and ensuring that farmers can immediately begin the cultivation process.

NIA will closely monitor the progress of the farmers using these seeds, with regular check-ins and assessments to ensure that the goals of the program are being met.

The delivery of 1,526 packages of hybrid seeds to the beneficiaries of Contract Farming on June 6 at the NIA Capayas Irrigation System Office in the town of Ubay, Bohol. This is in line with the planting season to ensure that farmers can start the planting process immediately. (NIA-7 photo)

NIA’s Contract Farming Program

A total of 284 farmers in the province are beneficiaries to a maximum of P100,000 per hectare assistance from NIA’s Rice Contract Farming Program this Wet Cropping Season.

This after twenty Irrigators Associations (IAs) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at the NIA Capayas Irrigation System Office in Ubay town on May 30 and at the NIA Malinao Irrigation System Office in Pilar town on May 31.

These farmers are beneficiaries of NIA Region 7’s Bohol Integrated Irrigation System (Ubay, Pilar, San Miguel, and Talibon), and the Cagawasan Communal Irrigation.

During the MOA signing with the irrigators on May 30, Bohol Integrated Irrigation System Head Engr. Evelina P. Putong said NIA will not only assist the beneficiaries through irrigation, but will now also offer financial assistance to support their agricultural endeavors.

This agricultural production agreement offers farmers with access to farming inputs, guaranteed market, and stable prices for their produce, reducing the risks associated with market fluctuations.

The initiative, themed “Seguridad sa Pagkain, Tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas”, aims to enhance agricultural productivity, ensure farmer profitability, and contribute to the overall development of the agricultural sector. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)