Giving more interventions to rice, corn, high value crops, livestock farmers in the first district of Ilocos Sur, the Department of Agriculture turned-over today Php22.29 million worth of programs and projects to 33 farmers’ associations and cooperatives at the Ilocos Sur Research & Experiment Center located in San Juan, Ilocos Sur.
Led by no less than the DA-RFO I’s OIC-Regional Executive Director, Dr. Annie Bares together with First District Congressman Ronald Singson, the event was among the series of project distribution activity being conducted by the DA in Ilocos to further improve the production as well as post-harvest production activities in this premier region.
Of the total Php22.29 million project, the Sentineling program shared the biggest chuck in all the project cost amounting to P19.59 million pesos given to eleven farmers association and cooperatives.
The Bio-N fertilizer amounting to Php1.95 million with 19,560 packs given to 11 farmers group comes next in support to their rice production project followed by the organic plant supplements and botanical pesticides amounting to Php302,550.00 given to 678 farmer-beneficiaries in response to the high cost of commercial fertilizers in the market today.
Other than these farm inputs, equipment such as egg incubator, plastic drums, grass cutter, hammer mill and forage chopper were also distributed during the program.
Plastic crates, forage chopper and knapsack sprayer were also distributed by the BP2 or the Balik Probinsiya Bagong Pag-asa Program worth P165,000.
First District Representative Ronald Singson in his message underscored the significance of these projects especially in realizing food security amidst major challenges in the agri-sector and reiterated support to all endeavors of the DA to benefit his constituents in the first district.
Ilocos Sur Governor Jeremias Singson noted in his message delivered by Ilocos Sur Board Member Francisco Arturo Ranches III talked about the significance of giving all these interventions to farmers in order to increase their capacity as well as to develop quality produce to meet the increasing demand for food among Filipinos.
OIC-RED of DA-RFO I, Dr. Annie Bares likewise recognized the efforts of the Office of the First District Representative in its crucial role especially in funding all these given interventions for the welfare of the farmers.
With the continuing support of the Congressman, Dr. Bares bared that more projects shall be provided to the farmers as more funding sources are available to finance all other DA interventions such as but not limited to Rice farmers’ financial assistance, fertilizer discount vouchers, fuel discounts, etc.
Joining the distribution is San Juan Sanguniang Bayan Member Committee Chair Florante Ramos and Agricultural Programs Coordinating Officer, Mr. Jomar Dayap.
