BACOLOD CITY – The provincial government of Negros Occidental led the recent launching of “Binhi sang Probinsiya” in Himamaylan City as it rolled out three projects to boost crop and seed production.

GOV. Eugenio Jose Lacson leads the distribution of rice and corn agricultural inputs worth P11.8 million to farmers at the Negros First Integrated Agricultural Center (NFIAC) in Barangay Cabadiangan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental during the launching of ‘Binhi sang Probinsiya.’ (Photo courtesy of Capitol PIO)

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, along with fifth district Rep. Dino Yulo, Board Members Rita Gatuslao and Anton Occeño, sixth district Board Member Jeffrey Tubola, Mayor Raymund Tongson Jr., and Provincial Agriculturist officer-in-charge Dr. Dina Genzola, led the ceremonial corn harvesting and distribution of rice and corn agricultural inputs worth P11.8 million to farmers at Negros First Integrated Agricultural Center (NFIAC) in Barangay Cabadiangan.

The program aims to ensure adequate supply of certified seeds in the market and enable farmers to use good quality of seeds.

In support of the program, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) is implementing the Seed Production and Certification, Sustainable Integrated Farming, and Support for the Establishment of Corn Production in Various Demo Farms.

The Seed Production and Certification aims to enhance the production of high-quality seeds for the farmers. With a total project cost of P5 million, it will fund the purchase of registered rice seeds, fertilizers, and labor costs, as well as assistance to the Negros Occidental Seed Growers and Agriculture Cooperative (NOSGACO) and the NFIAC Demo Farm inputs.

Under the Sustainable Integrated Farming, it aims to support integrated farming systems for lowland and upland farmers who are engaged in sugarcane, corn, and rice-based farming systems in the province.

The project will promote crop diversification by distributing leguminous crops and assorted vegetables for production to augment the income of farmers and increase availability of good quality corn seeds.

Corn shellers and manual corn seeders will also be available to assist the farmers in planting and corn milling activities. The initial target beneficiaries include the local government of San Carlos City, Calatrava, Murcia, Cadiz City, La Castellana, Isabela, Moises Padilla, Himamaylan City, Binalbagan, Kabankalan City, Ilog, Cauayan, and Hinobaan.

Corn production facilities will also be established in various demo farms of the province for the benefit of farmers engaged in corn production, the project include provision of certified corn seeds, fertilizers, and profiling of related expenses and activities.