The Department of Agriculture (DA) has begun the distribution of high-quality rice seeds to early planters in Borongan City in Eastern Samar.

Gerardo Bula, city agricultural technologist, said on Monday that a total of 800 sacks will be distributed based on its total rice farm area estimated at 800 hectares.

The city received the first 100 sacks and immediately distributed these to the early rice planters in the villages of Can-aga, Sta. Fe, San Saturnino, Tabunan, Maypangdan, Libuton, Maybacong, Cagbunga, Bayobay, Lalawigan, Can-abong, Calingatngan, Balud Surok, and San Mateo last week.

“This is part of the Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Kontra Covid-19 program under the Rice Resiliency Project (RRP) of the national government to increase rice production in the country amid the global health crisis,” Bula said in a statement.

Recipients are rice farmers included in the Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture and part of the master list of the city agriculture office.

Bula said the remaining supply of rice seeds will be delivered and distributed this December.

Earlier, the city government provided free fertilizers to rice farmers who play a big part in ensuring food sufficiency especially in times of crisis. (PNA)