SAN MATEO, Isabela-The DA-PhilRice Isabela sealed its partnership with Seed Growers Cooperatives and Associations (SGC/A) through a Memorandum of Agreement for the 2025 wet season. Signing was held at the station recently.
These SGC/A have been partners of PhilRice Isabela since the implementation of RCEF program (Rice Tariffication Law) in 2019. This partnership is part of the RCEF Seed Program, to supply certified seeds to farmers in Region 2 and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
Use of certified seeds can increase yield by up to 20%. RCEF data showed that the average yield of rice farmers using certified seeds in the country in 2019 was 3.63 tons per hectare (t/ha), which increased to 4.37t/ha in 2024.
As of the 2024 dry season, RCEF data for Region 2 showed that Aurora, Isabela led with the highest average rice yield of 6.45 t/ha, while Isabela province yield was 5.24 t/ha. In the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Sagada, Mountain Province achieved 6.03 t/ha, while Kalinga, province had 5 t/ha.
From 2020 to 2024, the average yield was 4.27 t/ha for CAR, and 4.5 t/ha for Region 2. Despite the constant threats faced in rice farming, these regions have remained resilient in achieving higher yields.
In 2023, the country achieved palay production of 20.06 million metric tons (MMT). With continues use of certified seeds and through other RCEF program interventions, the Department of Agriculture’s target of palay production of 20.46 MMT in 2025 is not impossible.#
