The Philippine Maize Federation Inc. has lauded the support of the Department of Agriculture to corn farmers under the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani, the group said in a press release.

PhilMaize, a 3,000-member organization mostly comprised of farmers, recently conducted the 5th Philippine National Corn Congress in Iloilo City .

Its president, Rosallie Ellasus, said the DA promised to extend seed subsidy to corn farmers at P2,000 per bag of corn and an additional subsidy of P360 for government-approved organic fertilizers, the press release said.

Ellasus said that with government support, they are optimistic of a seven percent increase, aside from the eight percent growth rate of the corn subsector.

The P2,000 per bag seed subsidy for Bt corn, a genetically -enhanced corn variety, is P800 more than the P1,200 subsidy farmers get under the program for conventional corn seeds.

This is because Bt corn seed is more expensive, compared to conventional corn varieties, Ellasus said, adding that such support could be the government's way of encouraging farmers to go for Bt corn to meet the country's target to become corn self-sufficient.*

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