DAVAO CITY—The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated P62.5 million as recovery and credit assistance for farmers and proprietors of micro-enterprises who were affected by quarantine restrictions in the Caraga region in northeastern Mindanao.
The fund is under the DA’s Ahon Lahat Pagkaing Sapat (Alpas) Kontra sa Covid-19 or the expanded SURE Aid and Recovery Project (SURE Covid-19).
Eligible farmers and fishermen may borrow up to P25,000 interest-free, no collateral and payable in 10 years.
“The fund would help our farmers and fisherfolk recover from their losses during this quarantine period,” said DA-Caraga Regional Director Abel James I. Monteagudo.
Monteagudo said available loanable fund for the region could cater to 2,500 farmers and fishermen. The DA said the funds may be available by the end of the month.
Eligible micro and small-scale entrepreneurs may avail of up to P10 million, zero interest, and payable in five years. These enterprises may be a single proprietorship, partnership, corporation, cooperative, or association.
He said the DA would prioritize the small businesses that supply the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita outlets, or those that participate in the Kadiwa on Wheels. The Kadiwa rolling stores serve selected barangays in different municipalities and cities in the region.
The Kadiwa on Wheels is a DA-initiated marketing strategy where micro and small enterprises, farmers’ and fishermen’s groups sell their produce directly to the consumers at reasonable prices.
Meanwhile, the DA in Region 12 said last week it released production loans worth P6.2 million to 248 farmer-borrowers in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato.
Regional Director Arlan Mangelen said each farmer-borrower received P25,000 from the DA’s expanded SURE Aid and Recovery Project in separate programs held in Barangay Balabag on May 13 for 121 farmer-borrowers and in Barangay Perez on May 14 for 127 farmer-borrowers.
He reminded them to use the money in sustaining their livelihood activities or in starting a farming and fishing venture anew.
