Warning to Illegal hybrid rice seed sellers

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has tapped the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in its bid to apprehend the people behind the illegal selling of hybrid rice seeds in Region 2.

DA Regional Field Office 2 (DA RFO 2) Regional Executive Director Narciso Edillo said that under the DA’s seed distribution program, the hybrid seeds should be distributed to farmers for free.

“We condemn to the highest level such that it will not only affect the implementation of government programs but our farmers who will be the victims again,” Edillo said.

Edillo added that pictures and videos of the proliferation of hybrid seeds being sold by unscrupulous individuals circulate online.

He said that DA RFO 2 is now coordinating with the NBI, PNP, concerned local government units and private seed companies to track the perpetrators of the illegal activities.

He emphasized that seeds are given free to qualified recipients.