Rice farmers receive P105.6M

THE Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administration Region (DA-CAR) awarded P105.6 million worth of various support services to rice farmers in Mountain Province.

Cameron Odsey, DA-CAR regional executive director, said this aims to boost agriculture production and increase the farmers’ income.

Odsey added that the support services include P84.7-million funding from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA) Program. He said at least P5,000 cash assistance will be distributed to P16,452 farmers tilling 2 hectares and below.

Aside from this, at least P12.5 million worth of seeds, fertilizers and soil ameliorant will be distributed to the qualified rice farmers, he added.

“The completed five irrigation systems and one warehouse worth around P8.387 million were also awarded to the different association-beneficiaries in the province,” Odsey said.

He noted that the Lettok Farmers Association (Banawel, Natonin), Chinakhop Farmers and Irrigators Association (Tocucan, Bontoc), and BLGU-Poblacion, Sabangan will also benefit from the rehabilitation of irrigation canals.

On the other hand, the Agriculture department also provided diversion dams to Torod Palitud Integrated Farmers Association of Palitod, Paracelis and Tongfu Farmers Association of Tonglayan, Natonin.

A warehouse was also given to Butigue Kapamilya Farmers Association Inc. of Butigue, Paracelis. “I believe that there are positive changes in your yield, especially in your lives with the different interventions received,” said Odsey.