Two rice processing centers (RPC), worth P6 million (M) each, were turned-over to Bicolandia farmers’ association on March 24, 2017 as part of the ongoing drive of the government to enable farmers to improve productivity and income, and ultimately empower them.
Members of the Maporong Farmers Association and Farmers Field School Palay Check/Palayaman Farmers’ Association now have access to a drying and storage facility after Agriculture Secretary Manny F. Piñol awarded to them RPC 1 facilities which is envisioned to improve the efficiency of rice production, milling, and drying.
The RPC may also serve as a storage area thereby reducing postharvest losses and enhancing rice quality, among others.
Piñol during the face-to-face dialogue with farmers, fishers and other agricultural stakeholders stressed that the new government is encouraging the rural dwellers to return to the province and take part in food production initiatives.
Piñol stressed the government focuses on bringing programs that will directly help farmers, so that they won’t resort from moving on to the cities.
“The source of food is in the province, and we assure you that we will help you every step of the way,” he said.
“Agriculture is the hope of our country, we cannot resolve poverty if we don’t help our farmers and fishermen,” Piñol added.
A warehouse and combine harvester valued at P5.6M were also turned over to Philippine Rice Research Center in Bicol (PhilRice-Bicol).
During the same event, Piñol and the management of DA Regional Field Unit 5 turned over P20 million worth of agricultural production inputs and facilities to the provincial government of Albay. This was the highlight of the TAPATAN farmers’ forum on March 24 at Ligao City.
DA-5 distributed 100 bags of hybrid seeds (15 kg/bag), 200 bags of urea fertilizer, 300 bags of OPV white corn seeds, 100 heads of ducks, 10 sheep (9 heads of ewe, 1 head of ram), 5,000 pieces of cacao grafted, 1 unit of cacao roaster, 1 unit of cacao grinder, 1 unit of cacao cracker with cleaner, 1 unit of power sprayer, 100 sets of garden tools (hoe, rake, sprinkler and shovel), 100 sets of assorted vegetable seeds (Women for Progress Movement Bicol), and 5,000 sets of assorted vegetable seeds (provincial government of Albay).
On top of these assistance packages, Piñol committed 10 units of solar-powered irrigation system for the province of Albay.
“The government is reaching out to you because we want to provide whatever you need so you can help us in our vision towards a food sufficient Philippines,” he said.
As such, DA is providing hybrid seeds, improving the irrigation system, promoting mechanization, providing sufficient fertilization on farms, and improving the credit facility for farmers and fisherfolk.
Piñol announced that DA is seeking the amendment of the current loaning system of the government and is set to launch the Farmers and Fishermen Quick Credit Facility or FFQCF.
“FFQCF aims to provide loans for farmers and fisherfolk without collateral, provided that farmers and fisherfolk are registered under the National Registry for Farmers and has passbook,” he said.
Under this scheme, farmers can loan maximum to P50,000 which can be processed within three working days. While bank cooperatives can already provide the P25,000 loan within 24 hours upon application.
Piñol noted that to be able to fast-track the credit and insurance operation, farmers must organize themselves into cooperatives.
From Albay, Piñol proceeded to Casiguran, Sorsogon, where he distributed 200 fiberglass boats to the 1,953 fisherfolk of Sorsogon.
He was joined by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Representative Ding Ramos.
Piñol encouraged the residents to continue their support in maintaining the clean coastal waters of their province. He also committed to provide 2,000 additional fiberglass boats and a cold storage facility. ### (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)
