By By Mike U. Crismundo
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur – Considered as the Caraga region’s rice-producing province, Agusan del Sur will be getting P125.8 million or 60% of the P207 Million allocated budget in the region through the Rice Resiliency Project (RRP), it was learned on Tuesday.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Caraga region is also providing rice seeds and fertilizer subsidies to farmers in the region for the wet cropping season.
The project targets to increase local rice production through the use of high-quality seeds and sufficient fertilization based on recommendations, it said.
An estimated 30,000 rice farmers covering 32,277 hectares in that landlocked agricultural-rich province will benefit under the three subprojects – Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), the Expanded Inbred Rice Production, and the Expanded Hybrid Rice Production, DA 13 Regional Spokesperson Emmylou T. Presilda told The Manila Bulletin on Tuesday.
DA 13 Caraga Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Operations Rebecca R. Atega led the ceremonial turnover of the RRP interventions to Agusan del Sur Gov. Santiago B. Cane, Jr. of the Province of Agusan del Sur held at Datu Makapandong, Naliyagan Grounds, Prosperidad last week (May 26).
The local government unit’s participation in aligning their actions with RRP is vital in the success of the implementation of the project.
“We are ready to help to make this project work. We are committed to expanding our agriculture extension support for the benefit of our farmers here in the province,” said Gov. Cane.
According to DA Secretary William D. Dar, with the support mechanism properly in placed and the policy support laid on the ground, RRP will attain its intended results
Around 60,000 rice farmers from the five provinces will be assisted by the RRP in Northeastern Mindanao or Caraga region, Ms. Presilda added.
For more information, visit the Department of Agriculture – Caraga.
