Preparing for the wet cropping season, the Department of Agriculture in Ilocos has distributed a total of 17,617 bags of hybrid rice seeds amounting to Php84,734,968 in a ceremonial distribution held at the DA-Pangasinan Research and Experiment Center, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan on April 27, 2023.

Led by Pangasinan 3rd District Representative Ma. Rachel Arenas, together with DA-RFO I Regional Executive Director Dr. Annie Q. Bares, the distribution was also attended by the various farmers associations and representatives of the six LGU project beneficiaries, all from the 3rd district of Pangasinan.

Of the six municipality-recipients, Malasiqui received the most number of bags of hybrid seeds with 4,404 bags followed by the municipality of Bayambang with 4,322 bags.

Aside from hybrid rice seeds, the DA also distributed pump and engine sets from the three major banner programs of DA in the region. Pelleting machine worth Php105,000 from the Corn Banner Program, various vegetable seeds from High Value Crops Development (HVCD) Program were also distributed for high value crops farmers.

Other than the various agri-inputs, the DA also distributed farming tools and equipment such as plastic crates, net mesh and plastic drum in support of the implementation of the Organic Agriculture Program.

In total, the DA-RFO I has distributed P85,709,395 worth of agricultural interventions.