BAGUIO CITY — The Department of Agriculture ensures that farmers continue to receive support various forms as the government strives to achieve food security and sustainable agriculture.
The DA has several programs for rice farmers for pre, during and post-harvest to increase their productivity and income. It recently launched a new program to provide farmers with low- interest rate financial assistance.
“Ang pinakalatest na program natin, Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program, ang nireresolve natin diyan ang problema ng ating farmers, ‘yung kulang sila ng pera o puhunan o capital para sa mga kailangan nila sa farming, ito, pautang naman ito, napakababa ang service fee,” DA-Cordillera Regional Technical Director for Operations Danilo Daguio explained.
The Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid (APP) program is designed to enhance rice productivity, food security, and promote sustainability.
Under the APP, a farmer with one-hectare rice area may borrow a total of P60,000.00 each cropping season. Of the amount, P28,000.00 will be used for farm inputs including seedlings, and the rental of farm machineries, while the P32,000.00, considered as a financial assistance, will be disbursed in four months. This mechanism ensures that the essential needs of the farmers are met while they wait for the harvest.
“Ang P32,000 out of the P60,000, ito yung pantawid. Ito ay pwedeng gamitin ni farmer para sa mga essentials ng family while waiting for the harvest. Yung P32,000.00 na yan, hindi minsanan na nakukuha ni farmer, P8,000.00 every month upon the effectivity of the credit. ‘Yung purpose nun ay ‘yung mga basic needs ng farmers natin ay matugunun habang hinihintay niya ‘yung kanyang crops” Daguio explained.
Launched in Sept. in 2024, the APP in the Cordillera is piloted in the rice producing provinces of Apayao and Kalinga. DA CAR rolled out the APP in Laya West in Tabuk City last January with a technical briefing for borrowers.
The planting season in Bauko, Mountain Province started in the later weeks of January. Rice farmers share that the rice produced is more than enough if they are not affected by El Niño or La Niña.
Meanwhile, Daguio reiterated that the DA is committed to supporting rice farmers through its banner programs.
“Meron tayong banner program sa Department of Agriculture na tinatawag nating Rice Program, so dito marami tayong interventions or assistance na ibinibigay sa ating mga farmer. Una diyan meron tayong support on seeds, we are giving free seeds to our farmers. Aside from that, meron din tayong support for fertilizer,” he shared.
Daguio also highlighted that the DA gives support to accredited rice farmers association through the provision of farm machineries and equipment, and trainings.
He added that the DA is working closely with the municipal agriculturists to make sure that the services provided reach the grassroots level.
“May mga kasama tayo na mga implementers sa field, ‘yung mga municipal agriculturists, ‘yung mga agricultural technicians, sila ‘yung kasama natin sa field na nakikiharap sa mga farmers para kung ano man ang questions nila, queries, assistance na kailangan nila, technical, katulong natin yung mga agricultural extension workers na nagseserve sa mga farmers natin,” he said. (JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR)
