GUIMBA, Nueva Ecija –The Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Planters Products Inc., rolled out the Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program on Monday. This groundbreaking initiative aims to transform the agriculture sector and significantly improve the livelihoods of rice farmers across the country.
The APP program is designed to enhance rice productivity, ensure food security, and promote sustainability by providing qualified farmers with P28,000 in input credits per hectare and P32,000 in financial assistance, disbursed over four months. The loan carries a low-interest rate of 2 percent.
Under the APP program, DBP will administer loans and facilitate access through Intervention Monitoring Cards, while Planters Products will ensure that affordable fertilizers and farm inputs are available to farmers. The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. will offer insurance coverage, while DA’s National Rice Program will provide high-quality rice seeds.
The program is also being undertaken in coordination with the National Irrigation Administration in line with timing of water releases to ensure farmer cooperation and a broader plan to shift the rice cropping calendar to address climate change challenges.
Additionally, the National Food Authority and Department of Social Welfare and Development will act as ready buyers of farmers’ harvests, allowing them to sell any surplus to private traders as they repay their loans.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. cited the comprehensive nature of the APP initiative. “This program is not just a measure; it is a movement toward sustainable development and a testament to the power of collaborative governance,” said Tiu Laurel in a speech delivered by DA Undersecretary Asis Perez.
Sec. Tiu Laurel also explained that the program addresses critical issues facing the agricultural sector, such as access to affordable capital, climate resilience, and market integration. “From providing affordable capital that will free them from the clutches of informal lending to integrating modern technologies that buffer the harsh impacts of climate change, this program is comprehensive in its approach,” he said.
The APP program also aims to connect farmers to larger investment opportunities, ensuring more secure and predictable incomes that will contribute to the country’s food security.
The official roll out of the APP program in Guimba marks the beginning of a nationwide effort to empower Filipino farmers and build a more sustainable and prosperous agricultural sector. Once fully implemented, the program is envisioned to support rice farmer-members of agricultural cooperatives across 1.2 million hectares, helping to increase yields and income through affordable credit, crop insurance, input funding, and guaranteed market access for their harvests. ###
