DA-WV Reviews MASAGANA Rice Program performance during wet season

The Department of Agriculture-Western Visayas (DA-WV) recently facilitated a thorough assessment of the MASAGANA Rice Program’s performance during the wet cropping season. The activity brought together local government units (LGUs), agricultural experts, extension workers, and stakeholders from the region’s six rice-producing provinces to evaluate the program’s implementation and its impact on farmers.

The program’s initiative aimed at enhancing rice productivity in Western Visayas through the provision of high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and technical assistance. During the wet season, this played important roles in supporting farmers as they faced head-on, different challenges placed by unpredictable weather patterns.

Despite facing obstacles such as heavy rainfall and typhoons in some areas, the program showcased results better than most would experience. Many farmers encountered improved crop performance due to timely delivery of inputs and close coordination between rice cluster coordinators and local government units. However, issues such as flooding in catch basin areas and delays in planting brought about by weather disruptions highlighted the need for further refinements in the program’s strategies.

Agricultural extension workers (AEWs) from the LGUs emphasized the importance of learning from these experiences to strengthen future efforts. With the dry season forthcoming, adjustments are already being planned to ensure more effective implementation and sustained growth in rice production. These include enhancing monitoring systems, refining input distribution processes, and providing additional technical support to vulnerable areas.

The DA-WV expressed its continued commitment to empowering farmers and ensuring food security in the region. By fostering collaboration among local government units, extension workers, and farmers themselves, the MASAGANA Rice Program aims to build a more resilient and productive agricultural sector.

The assessment underscored the program’s potential to transform the region’s rice industry, with stakeholders optimistic about achieving even greater success in the upcoming dry season.###Text and Photos by VNOQuimpo/DA-RAFIS 6