To decrease production costs and boost farmers’ yields, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 1 (DA-RFO1) distributed Php7.87M worth of agricultural interventions to several farmers’ associations (FAs) during a ceremonial turnover on February 9.
The distribution, held at the 1st District Congressional Office in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, was made possible through the collaborative effort of the agency’s various programs and projects.
Under the Corn Banner program, the Laoag City Cassava Growers Farmers Association (FA) Inc. was awarded one unit of mobile solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS).
Through the Special Area for Agricultural Development Program, the same intervention, including organic foliar fertilizers, was given to the Malaggao Adams FA Inc., Virvira Trival Zanjera FA Inc., Carasi Trival FA Inc., and Riverside Greeners Association Inc.
Meanwhile, the Organic Agriculture Program provided one unit of mobile SPIS for the Siwawer Organic Practitioners Association Inc.
The High Value Crops Development Program gave one unit each of SPIS for the Katangkayan ARB’s FA Inc. and Bacsil South FA Inc.
The Livestock Banner Program, on the other hand, equipped the Binarmappa Multi-Purpose Cooperative with one unit of hauling truck and power sprayer.
Through these interventions, DA-RFO1 Regional Executive Director Fidel L. Libao hopes that more farmers will benefit from the agency’s programs.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila [magsasasaka] sa pagtingkilik nila sa programa ng Department of Agriculture,” Director Libao said.
“We are expecting na magamit nila ng maayos, alagaan nilang mabuti, at mashare nila sa mga kapwa nila magsasaka. Makakabawas ito sa kanilang production cost and at the same time tataas ang kanilang kita,” he added.
(I am grateful to our farmers for supporting DA’s programs. We expect them to use these properly, maintain them, and share them with their fellow farmers. This will reduce production costs and, at the same time, increase their income.)
The ceremony was led by Director Libao alongside INREC Chief Pablo Medardo and 1st District Congressional Office Consultant Edwin Cariño.