PILA, Laguna (PIA) – Around 1,000 individuals from sectoral and vulnerable groups in Calabarzon region have benefited in the nationwide launch of the Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) Rice program of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) IV-A in Pila, Laguna this September.
NIA IV-A Regional Manager Engineer Roberto Dela Cruz said that the BBM Rice program is part of the Contract Farming Program which aims to support Filipino farmers by providing an initial capital of P50,000 to cover the cost for farming inputs, land preparation, harvesting and hauling.
The program targets to help the public particularly Filipinos from vulnerable groups, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWD), solo parents and beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to have access to a cheap and affordable but with good quality of rice.
He stated: “We conducted further studies with the rice pricing, from how much our farmers invested, how much capital they put and all other expenses. It turned out that farmers could still make a profit and would not suffer losses at the price of P29 per kilo. This allows them to earn profit while keeping the cost manageable for consumers.”
Jose Warlito Bertudis, 63, and a tricycle driver from Laguna, said that the BBM Rice program is a great help for him and his family given his limited income.
“We hope and also pray that the sale of affordable rice from the government continues, as it helps many people, including us because sometimes, we barely earn enough to cover the cost of rice,” Bertudis said.
Beverly Pajaron, 41, a 4Ps beneficiary and mother of 7 children, expressed her satisfaction to be able to purchase affordable rice at P29 per kilo compared to the P55 per kilo of commercial rice she usually purchases at the market.
“I’m happy because rice is very expensive. We normally buy it at P55 per kilo, but here they sell it for only P29 per kilo, which is a significant saving for us. They also sold it 10 kilos per person, it is a great help, and I hope the program continues so everyone can benefit from it.”
According to the data presented by agency, the pilot program covered 271 hectares of farmland in 2024, benefiting 216 farmers in the Calabarzon.
Dela Cruz added that NIA Region IV-A aims to further expand the program to support the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and its goal of achieving the objective of food security and strengthening the agriculture sector.
He then urged rice farmers in the region to join the Contract Farming Program to ensure a guaranteed market for their harvested rice and to help achieve rice sufficiency in the country, as well as to improve the quality of rice production.
“Anyone can join, as long as they are part of an irrigatorsassociation. This way, any assistance provided will be provided through the association. This approach ensures that all our farmers are united, and any assistance or intervention is coordinated through a single contact.”
As of September 2024, 165 hectares of farmlands in the region have already been harvested, with 106 hectares expected to be harvested soon. (CO/PIA-4A)