ICOT Rice program sees more polished implementation

By Provincial Media Relations Center
February 20, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Increased Crop Output thru Rural Infrastructure and Community Empowerment (ICOT-RICE) Project of the provincial government of Leyte will be intensified among the pilot areas identified as well as more polish in its implementation this year.

According to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist it is necessary to polish certain rules and correct minor flaws in the implementation process of the ICOT-RICE program before bringing it to other areas of the province.

This as other municipalities in the province have been clamoring for the project to be implemented in their farmlands. Hilongos in the fifth district and Tabango in the third district have been keen in introducing the program with their local rice farmers.

With Leyte basically an agricultural province, the ICOT-RICE aims to promote and expand the cultivation of hybrid rice as an approach to increase rice productivity and profitability by establishing rice techno demonstration projects in rice producing municipalities in the Leyte.

Under Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, various efforts and interventions have been introduced in order to develop this very sector, on top of the programs and projects undertaken by the national government.

Two years ago, the provincial government set on stream the ICOT-RICE project by providing production loans and marketing assistance to rice farmers, initially in Sta. Fe, Leyte. The farmer beneficiaries were from Brgy. Pilit, Sta. Fe, Leyte and the program covers more or less 58 hectares of ricelands.

The venture reportedly proved to be a big help to these farmers who were once the favorite preys of loan sharks in the area.

Starting with over 200 farmers in six barangays, there are now over 400 rice farmers covering eleven barangays who are enjoying the benefits of the ICOT-RICE project. The production loan amounting to P15,000 per hectare, covers the expenses for labor, seeds, fertilizers, insurance and pesticides.

As for the marketing support aspect, the Provincial Government of Leyte buys the palay produced by its recipients adding one peso every kilo to the prevailing price in the locality.

Farmers all over the province are seen to become recipients of the ICOT-RICE Project.