GOOD PRODUCTION. The Department of Agriculture continues to invest in the Cordillera Administrative Region through programs, projects and assistance. Regional Director Jennilyn Dawayan said in an interview Friday (June 28, 2024) that more than PHP2 billion have been disbursed and implemented during the first six months of 2024. (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)
BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) spent over PHP2 billion for projects and assistance to the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
In a report, DA-CAR regional director Jennilyn Dawayan, said PHP492.45 million in rice farmers' financial assistance was disbursed to 97,062 rice farmers in the Cordillera in the first semester.
There were also PHP40.83 million worth of vouchers for hybrid seeds, bio-fertilizers and inorganic fertilizers given to 8,160 farmers.
At least PHP44.3 million worth of corn seeds were distributed to 5,570 farmers; and PHP41.18 million worth of hybrid yellow corn seeds to 3,906 farmers whose farms were damaged by Super Typhoon Egay in July 2023.
Ten power sprayers, 61 units of multi cultivators, three grass cutters and four rain shelters went to the Vegetable Farmers Cooperative Association (FCA) in the first six months of the year.
The report also said 2,509 heads of chickens; 768,625 doses of biologics, vaccines, and drugs; and 255 testing kits and disinfectants were given to livestock growers.
DA likewise provided PHP16 million funding for 10 research activities -- eight rice-related and two corn-related.
To improve post-harvest systems and facilities, a total of PHP53.3 million were spent for tractors, dryers, forage choppers, corn mill mechanical corn shellers, cassava granulators and open-source pumping sets for 138 farmers cooperatives.
A total of 38 projects involving 35.36 kilometers of farm-to-market roads worth PHP548 million were funded, ensuring that farmers’ produce would reach their destinations on time.
Apart from investments for the regular programs, special projects sourced from foreign funding also reached the Cordillera, including road and bridge projects in Ifugao, Kalinga and Apayao totaling PHP1.18 billion.
"The DA-Cordillera supports the Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) brand of governance and leadership that embodies an all-inclusive plan for economic and social transformation,” Dawayan said. (PNA)
