Caraga rice farmers to get P161-M from DA
By Alexander Lopez
BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Caraga Region (DA-13) said some PHP161 million has been allocated as assistance to rice farmers in the area for this year.
The bulk of the budget will be appropriated for Production and Support Services (PSS), amounting to PHP81 million, and PHP43 million for the agency’s Agriculture Infrastructure and Farm Mechanization (AIFM).
The development for Extension Support, Education, and Training Services (ESETS) in the region will also have a share of PHP27 million from the total budget and the Research and Development (R&D) with PHP9 million.
Rebecca R. Atega, DA-13 OIC-technical director for operations, said Tuesday the largest portion of the PHP161 million funding would be concentrated on the rice farmers in the provinces of Surigao del Norte and the Dinagat Islands.
Atega explained that Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands provinces are considered non-Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) provinces.
“Our support continues with the three provinces–Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Surigao del Sur, through the DA’s attached agencies and bureaus and other implementing agencies under the RCEF Program,” Atega said.
She also assured the rice sector in the three provinces of more interventions are coming from the agency.
Meanwhile, DA-13 also announced the Rice Resiliency Project 2 (RRP 2) implementation in the region this year with a separate budget of PHP229 million.
The RRP 2, Atega said, will focus on the support for seeds, fertilizers, and logistics, especially for September 2020 to March 2021 cropping season.
“All programs and projects for the rice sector are being lined up to improve and increase farmers’ income, in accordance with directives of the agriculture secretary following the guidelines under the Plant, Plant, Plant Program,” Atega said.
She also encouraged Caraga Region’s local governments to continue their links with the agency’s programs for the benefit of the local rice farmers.
“We recognize that the municipal and city agriculture offices are the effective launching pads of DA’s program and services. We want to engage everyone to be partakers to attain a modest agriculture sector growth in the region,” Atega said. (PNA)
