The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Caraga farmers, fishers, and local government units (LGU) received P159.6 million worth of financial assistance and agri-fishery projects from the national government.
Government officials distributed the assistance in a ceremony held last December 7 in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
“The agency envisions a food-secure Philippines with prosperous farmers and fishers. To do this, all programs and projects are aligned to the four pillars of the OneDA Reform Agenda: Modernization, Consolidation, Industrialization, and Professionalization will be in partnership with the LGUs,” Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said in a statement.
The DA said LGUs play a vital role in increasing productivity and profitability at the local level through agri-fishery extension services.
Officials handed the Interventions Monitoring Card to the 1,844 Prosperidad rice farmers as they represent the 16,037 farmer-beneficiaries in the Province of Agusan del Sur. With a total amount of P81.3 million, eligible rice farmers tilling 2 hectares or less received P5,000 cash assistance that can augment farmers’ production needs.
Fifteen farmers’/fishers’ cooperative and association (FCA) were granted a working capital with a total amount of P9.7 million through the Enhanced Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Inclusive Food Supply Chain Program. This will equip the FCAs as a reliable food commodity supplier to sustainably operate Kadiwa Retail Stores in their locality.
The DA said the CARCANMADCARLAN Agri-based Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CAMPCO) in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, Sumilihon-Taguibo Farmers Association in Butuan City, Bayugan Achievers Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Bayugan City, and the Cabadbaran City LGU each received one unit of refrigerated vans with a total amount P10.96 million.
CAMPCO also received the Bangus Production and Marketing subproject amounting to P16.55 million under the DA-Philippine Rural Development Project Enterprise Component.
The DA also turned over 14 units of recirculating dryers amounting to P37.3 million to LGUs in the region. The facility will be operated by the LGUs through their identified FCA.
The recipients of the recirculating dryers are the following LGUs: Municipality of San Agustin, Marihatag, Lanuza, Madrid, Hinatuan, San Miguel, Tago, and Bislig City in the Province of Surigao del Sur, the Municipality of Prosperidad, Bunawan, Rosario, Talacogon, and San Francisco in the Province of Agusan del Sur and Cabadbaran City.