DA, PhilRice launch 'Abonong Swak', distribute inbred rice seeds

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Created on Friday, 13 May 2022

Helping the farmers cope with the rising prices of farm inputs like fertilizers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) launch today the "Abonong Swak" and distribute some bags of inbred rice seeds under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), held in Barangay Pototan, Tubigon, Bohol.

The said activity is in preparation for this year's wet season planting and the establishment of techno-demo sites on Abonong Swak in Bohol.

DA Senior Technical Adviser Dr. Rodolfo Estigoy, said that DA crafted a program called "Abonong Swak", that will address some of the concerns of the farmers especially on the high cost of inorganic fertilizers. He said that farmers should know how to lessen the application of inorganic fertilizers and use those locally available sources of fertilizers such as the use of rice straw, vermicompost and dried animal manure.

"Sa Abonong Swak, maari kayong gumamit ng kombinasyon ng organiko at inorganikong pataba at pumili ng mga rekomendadong combo na gusto nyo (farmers)," said Estigoy.

Engr. Cirilo Namoc, DA7 Regional Technical Director, proudly congratulated the farmers as the whole nation celebrates the month of May as Farmers and Fisherfolk Month (FFM). He said that the DA is implementing various programs for the farmers to attain higher yield and income.

"There are factors and practices to consider to attain high yield. We need to use quality rice seeds, fertilizer application, research and development, and the massive information dissemination of technologies for us to be able to understand and gain knowledge", said Namoc.
He further encouraged the farmers to register in the Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA) for them to avail of interventions from DA and to have their crops and livestock insured with the Philippine Crop Insurance System (PCIC).

On the other hand, Auria Madrio, the Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer of DA7 in Bohol, encouraged the farmers to continue planting rice by adapting the recommended technologies like use of quality seeds, proper land preparation and recomended fertilizer application, among others. She further enjoined the farmers to visit the office of the Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center (B-APC) in Tagbilaran City and their respective agriculture offices in their locality for technical assistance on farming.

The activity was also attended by Tubigon Mayor William Jao and his staff from the Municipal Agriculture Office and representatives from PhilRice Nueva Ecija and Negros.


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