Fertilizer Discount Subsidy for Corn and Cassava Farmers Rolls Out in Caraga Region
BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga through the Regional Corn Program holds a distribution caravan on the Fertilizer Discount Subsidy for corn and cassava farmers in identified areas in Caraga Region.
The project aims to sustain
the fertilizer application of farmer-beneficiaries and increase the yield level
of corn and cassava amid the surging and volatile prices of fertilizers.
"We know that we are
facing challenges, especially the increasing price of fertilizers, so I hope
you will use this to continue planting," Regional Technical Director for
Operations Rebecca Reyes Atega said.
During the regional launch,
217 corn and cassava farmers in Butuan City received discount vouchers worth
P2,000.
Melody Guimary, OIC of the
Field Operations Division disclosed that a total of 1,986 farmers were
identified to benefit from the subsidy with an allocation of P3.8 million.
"We hear your sentiments
regarding your difficulty in buying the sufficient rate of fertilizers for your
crop due to its current price. Through this discount voucher, your expenses for
fertilizer will be be reduced and there will be an increase in your
productivity and profitability," she stressed.
Guimary explained that the
recipients were endorsed by the local government units and were registered in
the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), and part of the
identified corn-cassava cluster areas.
Christopher H. Lindo, Chair
of the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council, encouraged the farmers that
despite many challenges, they will continue to support the agriculture industry
and become resilient.
Meanwhile, Butuan City
Agriculturist Engr. Pierre Anthony D. Joven assured that the City Government of
Butuan will always implement programs in collaboration with DA to uplift the
lives of the farmers.
"We are one in your hope
that Programs like this will continue, not just now, but also in the future.
Please know that our government is working for you," he said.
Atty. William Christian Dela
Cruz of the Office of Representative Jose Aquino II also echoed the support of
the congressman for the farmers in the first district comprising the City of
Butuan and the Municipality of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte.
One of the beneficiaries from Barangay San Mateo, Emilio Dapiton was grateful to the DA for the assistance he received.
“I will use this P2,000
voucher as an addition to the fertilizers for my next planting. This is a great
help," he said.
Meanwhile, another recipient
Sarah Ingking of Manila de Bugabos said that the discount voucher will help her
reduce the fertilizer expenses for her corn farm.
The discount vouchers are for
one-time use only and may be claimed at any accredited fertilizer merchant.
Under the project, the
fertilizer discount voucher will be used by the farmer-beneficiaries in
purchasing inorganic fertilizers from accredited merchants.
The distribution is being set for the whole month of September 2022, in coordination with the concerned local government units. (Lovely Joy Saludez and Aurelius P. Arais, DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
