DAVAO CITY (May 27) — The government has intensified its push to secure rice production in Mindanao, rolling out millions of pesos worth of farm inputs to rice-growing communities in Davao Oriental as farmers prepare for the wet cropping season.
On Tuesday, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office XI distributed more than PHP3.9 million worth of hybrid rice seeds to farmers in Banaybanay, benefiting 787 rice growers and covering an equal number of hectares.
The intervention forms part of DA-11’s continuing seed and fertilizer caravan across the region, aimed at increasing yields and cushioning farmers from rising production costs amid persistent climate uncertainties.
“To help boost rice productivity for the upcoming cropping season, DA-11 through its Rice Program continues its hybrid seed and fertilizer distribution caravan in Davao Oriental,” the agency said.
Aside from hybrid seeds, inbred rice farmers also received 1,156 packs of inorganic foliar fertilizer, with each pack intended to support one hectare of rice land.
Agriculture officials said the distribution was coordinated with municipal agriculture offices to ensure farm inputs reach beneficiaries before large-scale planting begins.
The next round of distribution is scheduled on May 28 for rice farmers in Lupon and Governor Generoso.
The latest rollout follows last week’s release of more than PHP23 million worth of hybrid rice seed interventions to farming communities in Davao del Norte, including Asuncion, Braulio E. Dujali, and Tagum City.
The aggressive distribution campaign reflects growing government concern over food security as Mindanao’s agricultural sector grapples with volatile weather patterns, higher input prices, and the continuing challenge of sustaining local rice supply.
For farmers in eastern Mindanao, the assistance could spell the difference between a productive harvest and another difficult planting season.
