Negros occidental: The Department of Agriculture's Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) has successfully distributed 670,275 sacks of Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) certified seeds to farmers across the Visayas region for the upcoming 2026 wet season.

According to Philippines News Agency, the distribution effort has concluded across the regions of Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and the Negros Island Region. The 2026 wet season, which spans from March to September, will see rice farmers benefit from these certified seeds to enhance their production capabilities. Data from August 16, sourced from the rice seed monitoring system, indicated that 248,415 qualified rice farmers across 219 municipalities and cities received the 20-kg sacks of certified rice seeds.

Western Visayas received the majority of the RCEF certified seeds, with 522,476 bags distributed to 171,619 farmers. These farmers, spread across 101 cities and municipalities in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo, will plant the seeds over an estimated area of 140,709 hectares. The varieties distributed include NSIC Rc 216, NSIC Rc 480, NSIC Rc 440, NSIC Rc 222, NSIC Rc 402, and NSIC Rc 622.

In the Negros Island Region, 108,775 sacks of certified seeds were allocated to 50,444 farmers. These farmers manage approximately 41,564 hectares in 58 cities and municipalities across Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor. The seed varieties distributed in this region are NSIC Rc 216, NSIC Rc 628, NSIC Rc 442, NSIC Rc 402, NSIC Rc 218, and PSB Rc 18.

In Central Visayas, 39,024 sacks of certified seeds were provided to 26,352 farmers, covering 14,336 hectares in 60 cities and municipalities in Cebu and Bohol. The varieties available to them include PSB Rc 18, NSIC Rc 222, NSIC Rc 628, NSIC Rc 480, NSIC Rc 216, and NSIC Rc 160.

The RCEF, established under the Rice Tariffication Law, aims to support rice farmers in becoming globally competitive by enhancing yield, reducing production costs, minimizing postharvest losses, and lowering marketing expenses. Through this program, DA-PhilRice is tasked with developing, propagating, and promoting high-quality inbred rice seeds nationwide, alongside co-implementing the Rice Extension Services Program.