The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated PHP119.4 million worth of seeds and production support services for rice farmers in Antique in time for the first cropping starting in May.

“Rice seeds and other production support services will be prepositioned in Antique before the start of the first cropping period,” Sonie Guanco, DA Agriculture Program Coordinating Office (APCO) chief in Antique, said in an interview Wednesday.

Support services include fertilizers, soil ameliorants and bio-fertilizers.

Guanco said DA wanted to assist farmers with difficulty sourcing seeds and other inputs due to the El Niño phenomenon.

DA Regional Executive Director Dennis Arpia, during his courtesy call with Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao on Monday, said they will implement rice program interventions for farmers during the first cropping period.

“We know that the El Niño phenomenon is about to end, and farmers will be preparing to plant for the first cropping period or the wet season so there will be interventions to be provided to them,” he said.

The support is available to farmers registered with the Registry System for the Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA), a profiling system of farmers.

The hybrid seed and fertilizer distribution targets 7,506 hectares, while the inbred or certified seeds will cover 11,107 hectares.

Also, 5,006 hectares under the hybrid cluster will receive soil ameliorant and bio-fertilizers, and 2,428 hectares for those using inbred or certified seeds. (PNA)