Following the launch of the Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) rice program in Negros Oriental this week, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) are planning similar events throughout the region in the coming months.

Alejandro Rafal, the newly appointed assistant regional director for operations and extension of the DA-Negros Island Region (NIR), said on Wednesday, November 13, that the program, which offers locally produced rice at P29 per kilo, kicked off in Sibulan town earlier this week.

“During the two-day activity, 500 bags of rice at 50 kilos each were sold to the vulnerable sectors, such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, 4Ps beneficiaries, solo parents and indigents with a limit of up to 10 kilos each,” Rafal said.

Rafal noted that the rice supply for the launch was sourced from Bayawan City, Siaton and Ayungon, and future activities will rely on locally produced rice through NIA-identified suppliers, with local farmers currently harvesting their crops.

He also highlighted NIA’s new contract farming initiative, where selected farmers receive P50,000 per hectare to support production. These farmers will return a portion of their harvest valued at the same amount to NIA, while keeping any excess as their profit. (PNA)