NFA, DA launch seed distribution program

Close to 270,500 bags of certified seeds have been distributed by the National Food Authority under a rice seed procurement and distribution program which is jointly being implemented with the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Conceived as a productivity-enhancing measure, the program allows the NFA to procure certified seeds from accredited seed growers. This, in turn, is loaned out to master-listed farmer beneficiaries under a plant now-pay later arrangement.

NFA Administrator Arthur C. Yap said the DA has provided a total funding of P250 million for the project which has been implemented since May 2000.

Yap said among the many production inputs in rice farming, the use of certified seeds is considered a critical factor that can contribute in bringing about sufficiency in food grains. This program was thus created to assure the supply of certified seeds especially in targeted irrigated areas.

NFA procures the certified seeds produced by accredited seeds growers of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) that do not own seed storage facilities. NFA also accepts payments from farmers-borrowers for remittance to the DA after the duration of the program which is on April 2004.

The certified seeds are distributed to the farmer beneficiaries at P650 per bag on cash basis and at P690 per bag, if on credit. The beneficiaries may withdraw the seeds from the nearest NFA warehouse or may opt to allow NFA to deliver them at a fee.

On the payment by the farmer beneficiaries, NFA accepts cash or payment in kind direct from the farmers.