Sixth District farmers in the province of Pangasinan received from the Department of Agriculture in Ilocos Region various farm interventions amounting to P193,593,803 in a distribution and awarding ceremonies recently held at the DA-Pangasinan Research & Experiment Center (DA-PREC), Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan.Of this total amount, interventions from DA’s Rice Banner Program shared the biggest amount with a total of P190,300,092 worth of hybrid rice seeds, pump and engine sets and hand tractors.
A total of 32, 850 bags of hybrid rice seeds were distributed to the 10 local government units of the 6th district thru the office of the municipal agriculturist with the municipality of Balungao having the most number of allocation of 10,200 bags ready for distribution to rice farmers in the area.
In addition, nine pump and engine sets and one unit hand tractor were also distributed to qualified farmers’ association such as the Sanlobaraysan Irrigators Association, Inc., the New Sto. Domingo Irrigators Association, Inc. the Baro nga Namnama ti Mannalon Irrigators Association, Inc. and the Capala Kuloto Irrigators Association, Inc.
On same event, the Corn Banner Program likewise distributed various interventions amounting to P1,746,000 for 18 units pump and engine sets while the High Value Crops Development Program distributed P1,228,220 worth of agri- projects in the form of pump and engine sets, plastic crates, plastic drum and plastic mulch including vegetable seeds for the establishment of off-season vegetable production.
Other programs such as the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP) has also distributed a total of P221,845 worth of projects in support to the establishment of urban agriculture garden including upgraded breeds of goats amounting to P127,440.00.
The Organic Agriculture Program has likewise provided the municipalities of Asingan and Natividad a total of P71,646 worth of plastic drums, plastic crates and net mesh while the municipality of San Nicolas was given 52 pieces of plastic crates equally divided to the Kabayabasan Tribal Council Association and Malico Indigenous Peoples Development Organization under the 4K Program of DA amounting to P26,000.00.
Leading the distribution of these interventions is no less than 6th District Representative Marlyn Primicias Agabas, Regional Executive Director Annie Bares, Regional Technical Director Dennis Tactac, Agricultural Programs Coordinating Officer in Pangasinan, Dr. Marvin Quilates and OIC-Field Operations Division Chief, Ms. Analiza Ramos.
With the distribution of interventions to the qualified recipients, DA officials led by Dr. Bares expressed high hopes that food production in the region will be enhanced and continuously improved for higher productivity and income of food producers in the region.
