Department of Agriculture secretary Proceso Alcala Jr. on Wednesday assured farmers in Koronadal City of the resumption of the rice seed subsidy program that he earlier suspended because of some concerns in its implementation.
Alcala, who met with with participants of the second Farmers’ Congress, told more than 200 farmers that he has already signed a memorandum for the resumption of the Rapid Seed Supply Financing Project Phase 2 (RaSSFiP 2).
RaSSFiD is a component project of DA’s Rapid Food Production Enhancement Programme (RaFPEP) which provides subsidy for certified rice seeds to help increase paddy production in rice-producing provinces.
Earlier, Roy Moreno, chairman of a rice farmers’ organization in the area, asked the secretary why he suspended the implementation of the RaSSFiP which added to the burden of farmers who had to resort to buying expensive certified seeds from traders.
“Kailan po ba ninyo maibabalik ang rice subsidy?” he asked the secretary.
Alcala explained the RaSSFiP operations were suspended after they discovered some hitches in the implementation of the project, especially concerning accounting and reporting practices.
“Some implementers and agencies were not able to report proper accounting of accomplishments, others could not present complete lists of beneficiaries.
“Because our marching order from President is to follow the ‘matuwid na daan,’ we cannot allow these mistakes to continue. So, we decided to suspend the project,” he explained.
He added that following the suspension, DA officials and representatives of the funding agency International Fund Agricultural Development (IFAD) met to evaluate the problems and set measures to ensure proper implementation of the project. [Dani Doguiles/PIA 12]
IFAD is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It specializes in funding projects to eradicate rural poverty in developing countries.
He explained that as soon as involved agencies are able to comply with the requirements for the resumption of the project operations, farmers can immediately buy the certified seeds they need.
Alcala’s visit to Koronadal was part of his two-day visit to parts of Region 12, including South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and General Santos City.
