MMI Ready for RCEF Wave-2

MarketMatters, Inc.’s staff underwent a 5-day workshop and training session for the second wave of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Program evaluation at PhilRice Training Center, Brgy. Maligaya, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija last August 22-26.

PhilRice instructors comprehensively discussed the entire research tool and basic details of the project’s needs during the dry season planting. DA-PhilRice commissioned MMI to conduct face-to-face interviews with farmers, encode the data, and proofread survey results for one year (March 2022- March 2023), covering 59 provinces.

Republic Act 11203 or Rice Tariffication Law launched RCEP for the advantage of farmers. It would improve their competitiveness and boost their income, while liberalizing the Philippine rice trade policy that includes lifting quantitative restrictions on rice imports and replacing them with tariffs. 

The government allotted 10 billion pesos to support programs that help farmers. These programs include the distribution of rice farm machinery and equipment, teaching them to develop rice seeds, and propagation and promotion activities. The government also extends loans to farmers in need of financial assistance. Almost 1 million farmers have already received over 10 million bags of certified seeds under RCEP.

The PhilRice-RCEF team concluded the training with the distribution of certificates to the attendees, games, and entertainment, and a field trip to the PhilRice Training Center.