CATARMAN, Northern Samar — The Philippine Rice Research Institute has distributed to farmers in Northern Samar certified inbred rice seeds which is expected to boost local rice production in the second cropping season.

A total of 30,179 bags of certified inbred rice seeds were distributed that will benefit 13,492 rice farmers in the whole province.

The distribution of certified rice seeds, done under the Department of Agriculture's Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Seed Program, is expected to cover about 14,160 hectares of rice fields in the province.

PhilRice is an attached agency under DA that develops high-yielding and cost-reducing technologies so farmers can produce enough rice for all Filipinos.

The DA regional field office in Eastern Visayas said the variety of certified inbred rice seeds distributed to the province are not only suitable but also beneficial for farmers because their outputs can also be used for planting in the succeeding cropping seasons.

Vice Governor Clarence Dato and Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Jose Luis Acompanado led in receiving the donation along with farmers from the different rice producing towns of Northern Samar last 20 October.

Dato said the provincial government aims to enhance food security by increasing rice production and other agricultural productivity interventions. An increased rice supply can forestall steep increases in its market price and significantly contribute to local food sufficiency.