The Department of Agriculture is setting aside a total of P100 million in funds to be used for credit assistance and equipment and post harvest facility loan to empower Dingle farmers and liberate them from middlemen and dicers who profit more from their produce.

Secretary Manny Piñol disclosed this during the Dingle Farmers Day held on October 29, 2017.

“The P60 million is a facility loan to be used for the establishment of a rice-processing complex that will enable you (farmers) to manage your produce even after post harvest, PIñol said. “

“Federate and organize yourselves into a group to maximize the benefits of these interventions,” Piñol added.

“We will also train you how to operate these equipment and facilities so you can be Farm Service Providers. By doing so, you will be able to manage the entire operation of your farm and earn every penny that is due to you,” he said.

On top of the P100-M commitment, DA, thru its regional office in Iloilo awarded more than P8.5-M worth of farm machineries and equipment to farmers associations. This includes a Solar Power Irrigation System Project to be established at Tabugon, Dingle, Iloilo. The irrigation project will benefit farmer-members of the Tabugon Farmers Association.

Also part of the assistance-package is a rice transplanter-walk behind with sowing machine and seedling trays, one unit of floating tiller and a cultivator.

Piñol also awarded goats and cattle for a multiplier farm project to the Iloilo State College of Fisheries amounting to P1.8-M.

In his message, the Secretary underscored that government agencies under the Duterte administration are sincere in delivering services and assistance.

“I’m here to give hope,” he said. ### (oda rodriguez/DA-AFID)