Joint strategic planning workshop held to harmonize NRP and RCEF interventions

 

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN — In a bid to fast-track the harmonization of interventions for rice farmers, the Department of Agriculture’s Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (DA-MRIDP) convened key officials and Rice program implementers for a joint strategic planning workshop held from June 2 to 6, in this town.

DA Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development, Engr. Christopher V. Morales, urged the participants to fully commit to the MRIDP’s vision of increasing yield and cropping intensity while minimizing postharvest losses. He also emphasized the importance of ensuring that rice remains affordable, accessible, available, and safe for all Filipino consumers.

The workshop focused on aligning the core strategies of the National Rice Program (NRP) and the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), ensuring that timely and efficient interventions reach rice farmers. It also served as a platform to assess the farmers’ needs and address implementation gaps across programs.

Participating agencies presented their respective programs, projects, and targets, including:

Agricultural Training Institute (ATI): extension support, education, and training services

Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech): mechanization services

National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM): irrigation services
Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) – financial services
Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) – financial services; and
DA-Project Mangement Office – NRP and RCEF thrusts and interventions

Updates were also provided on production support services such as soil health improvement, pests and disease management, and the distribution of certified and hybrid seeds — implemented through BSWM, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), and the DA-NRP.

Likewise, the regional field offices mapped out their respective targets and activities in line with the allocation and interventions provided by implementing agencies.

With Northern Mindanao as the host agency for the event, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga also highlighted Region 10’s flagship project under the Rice program — the Integrated Rice-Duck Farming System Technology — which is currently being piloted in its five provinces. The initiative aims to reduce production costs while promoting the production of safe and affordable rice.

The workshop gathered Rice program coordinators from CAR to Region 13, along with representatives from various DA-attached agencies and bureaus, including ATI, PhilMech, PhilRice, BSWM, NIA, financial institutions such as LBP and DBP, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).# (MGBS)