Certified Seeds arrive in Zambo Sur in time for the wet season Zamboanga del Sur – A total of 63,569 bags (20kg/bag) of rice certified seeds (CS) have arrived in Region IX and are set to be distributed to registered farmers from April to June 2020. The certified seeds which are produced at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PRRI) will be given to qualified farmers listed under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) program and registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). These farmer-beneficiaries are members of active farmers and irrigators association identified and validated by the local government units in Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay. According to Rad Donn L. Cedeño, DA9 Regional Executive Director the rice seeds are set to be distributed from April to June 2020 to prepare for the wet season. “There are ongoing deliveries of certified inbred seeds in the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay here in region 9. We make sure these deliveries are not hampered even while we are under enhanced community quarantine due to the pandemic of COVID19. It is very clear in the orders of President Rodrigo Duterte and Agriculture Secretary William Dar.” said Cedeño. NSIC Rc 160, Rc 216, Rc 222 rice varieties and two (2) location-specific inbred varieties are among the rice seed varieties distributed in the provinces. For rainfed and irrigated rice fields, about 24,165 hectares (ha) are identified as target area coverage in Zamboanga del Sur while there are 7,620 ha identified in Zamboanga Sibugay. These two provinces are the major rice producers in the region with recorded high yield and production every cropping season. “As of April 14, 2020, Philrice was able to deliver rice certified seeds in the municipalities of Dimataling, Guipos, Dumingag, and Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur. All seeds (bags) are expected to be delivered in the other identified municipalities by the end of the month.” Cedeño added. In every half hectare farm (0.5ha), a farmer - beneficiary receives one (1) one bag of inbred CS at 20 kilograms of certified seeds per bag. A farmer can avail a maximum of 6 bags of CS or equivalent to a three (3) hectare rice fields. Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar appealed to the LGUs to allow the unhampered agricultural activities of the farmers, fisherfolk and stakeholders as Frontliners since the threat of hunger is as real as the threat of covid19. .