The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) PalaySikatan technology demonstration site in Cabarroguis, Quirino was visited yesterday by DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Isabela Director Joy Bartolome A. Duldulao; techno-demo project leader and field operations head, Rizal Corales; accompanied by LGU representative Riovic Heron.

Farmer-cooperators Jolito Dumo, Jose Castañeda, and Hilda Valloyas proudly showed their fields planted with RCEF seeds through direct seeding using a drum seeder. They gladly toured their guests around the area and conveyed how they were convinced that drum direct seeding is a way of reducing cost of production. Corales, in return, challenged the farmer cooperators to try reducing their seeding rate from 60kg/ha. to 40kg. to further lessen cost.

RCEF techno-demo officers finished 16 site establishments for the 2023 dry season in Region 2 and the Cordilleras covering 48 has with 96 farmer cooperators where 32 of them are women farmers. (FB, DA-Philrice Isabela)