SAGADA, Mountain Province – The Department of Agriculture-Cordillera assured the continuous implementation of government programs to help more the farmers in the region, especially in food production.
DA Regional Executive Director Cameron Odsey said the agency will expand its programs specifically in certain commodities such as rice, corn, livestock, and fisheries.
“Itatta nga medyo nalukayan ti restrictions, we expand it more tapnu kasta ket naan-anay latta ti makan ta han tayo nga ammo met ngarud ti sitwasyon na daytoy Covid-19,” Odsey said.
He added Phase 2 for Rice Farmers Financial Assistance is expected this year to aid rice farmers who did not receive cash assistance from the first phase of the program.
He clarified the Rice Comprehensive Enhancement Program is focused in high production rice areas like Tabuk City, Kalinga, lowland parts of Ifugao and Apayao, and Paracelis in Mountain Province.
The P5,000 cash assistance under the program is given to rice farmers cultivating two hectares and below.
The DA, aside from the provision of seed subsidies to farmers, is implementing mechanization program to equip the farmers in cultivating their lands to enhance productivity and reduce post harvest losses. It also provides trainings and credit programs.
There is an eight percent shortfall to achieve rice sufficiency in the Philippines, but with the continuous interventions of the government, “We will strive really for 100 percent sufficiency in rice, producing it in our own,” Odsey said.
Odsey added the DA is set to implement the fuel subsidy program for corn farmers in the region to help them in buying petroleum products to operate their equipment such as tractors or tillers. – Debbie Gasingan
April 20, 2024
