TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Seven thousand seven hundred rice farmers in the province are set to receive P5,000 cash assistance from the Department of Agriculture.
Joe Casibang of the Office of Provincial Agriculturist said the aid is given to rice farmers tilling two hectares or less who are affected by the decrease in palay prices due to the open rice importation.
Under Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Act, the country has opened rice importation from other rice-producing member countries of the World Trade Organization, which resulted in lower palay prices in the country.
Casibang said funds for the intervention are allotted from the tariff revenue generated from the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Act to enhance farmers’ competitiveness.
Earlier, DA has extended P15,000 soft-loan and distributed certified rice seeds to farmers here.
Farmers must be registered in the registry system for basic sector in agriculture to qualify for the assistance. – Larry Lopez
April 23, 2024
