LEGAZPI CITY: The Department of Agriculture in Bicol (DA-5) distributed farm inputs worth PHP79.9 million to rice and high-value crop farmers in Camarines Sur this week.
In an interview on Wednesday, Lovella Guarin, DA-5 spokesperson, said more than 3,000 farmers from five towns of the province received different interventions to help them increase their production and provide easier access to technology and equipment.
“The agricultural inputs provided to the beneficiaries was DA’s way of showing how we value their work and dedication to ensure food security in the region,” she said.
Guarin said the interventions under the DA-Bicol Rice Program comprise PHP42 million worth of fertilizer discount vouchers and PHP380,000 worth of inbred palay seeds that were distributed to the farmers of Gainza, Milaor, Camaligan, Minalabac, and Libmanan.
“The accredited merchants also brought their fertilizer products to the venue during the distribution so that the farmers could already claim the fertilizer,” Guarin said.
Some 1,000 rice farmers likewise received a PHP5,000 Rice Farmer Financial Assistance (RFFA) each, for a total of PHP5 million.
Meanwhile, for the Corn Program, three units of hauling trucks worth a total of PHP5 million were turned over to Mantila Agrarian Reform Farmers Association of Sipocot, Camarines Sur; Macalidong Rice, Corn, and Vegetables Farmers Association of Ligao City, Albay; and Sagladab Farmers Association of Lagonoy, Camarines Sur.
Fertilizer, gardening tools, and cacao planting materials worth PHP3.2 million were also distributed to coconut farmers under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Program (CFIDP).
On the other hand, the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) turned over PHP5 million worth of Kadiwa financial grants to three qualified farmers’ groups.
Likewise, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (Philmech) distributed 11 units of combined harvesters worth PHP19.2 million to qualified farmers’ cooperatives and associations fu
nded under the RFFA.
In a statement, DA-5 Executive Director Rodel P. Tornilla thanked the farmers who are the so-called ‘modern-day heroes’ for working very hard to bring food to the table of every Bicolano home.
Source: Philippines News Agency