The Department of Agriculture Bureau of Agricultural Research approved the Organic Seed Production System for Upland Crops of Negros Occidental under its “rainfed” banner program.

Maurine Managaring, BAR project development officer, said DA has approved 21 projects worth P48.12 million under the Philippine Rainfed Agriculture Research Development and Extension Program.

The total estimated budget for Visayas is P13.77 million which includes the Organic Seed Production System for Upland Corps of Negros Occidental, Rice-based Farming System and Rainfed Rice Intensified Farming System of Capiz, Rice-based Integrated Farming System of Aklan, Chicken in Rice Farming System of Leyet, and Sagip Saka Conservation Farming Villages of Negros Oriental, Albay, Ifugao, Davao, and Laguna.

Managaring said rainfed projects will help in diversifying the farm production of the Philippines and increase the income of farmers.

She also said the initial budget for PhiRARDEP was only P20 million but the approved projects exceeded the budget since the government is prioritizing the rainfed agriculture and climate change program.

Mangaring said that, through the program, rainfed areas in the country will be intensified and crop damages infestations, and reduced water supply caused by climate change can be prevented.

The program is in collaboration with the Regional Field Units, Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Centers, Agricultural Training Institute Training Centers, and selected colleges and state universities, she added.*LTG

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