Around 1,183 farmers from the provinces of Apayao and Kalinga are now the initial recipients of the Intervention Monitoring Card (IMC) in the country which is now part of the new modalities in the distribution of interventions to Cordillera rice farmers.
The IMC is part of the digitalization processes of distribution implemented and distributed by the Department of Agriculture Cordillera (DA-CAR) on April 24-26, 2024 that was handled by merchants and suppliers with its counterpart service providers, that has given primary preference to the choices of farmers in selecting hybrid-seeds and fertilizer assistance suitable to their farms.
During the conduct of the Provincial Rice Technology Forum (PRTF) held in both provinces, a total of PhP7.9 million worth of hybrid seeds and fertilizers were chosen by farmers from the various suppliers and merchants that have been processed through the IMC.
DA-Undersecretary for Rice Development Christopher Morales explained that with the IMC, farmers are now enabled to get easier access to government assistance.
Apayao and Kalinga are the pioneering provinces in the country to implement the use of IMC in claiming fertilizer subsidies. the IMC program aims to modernize and digitize the processes and activities of the agency to be used at the right time and process based on our guidance and instructions of the department serving as an e-wallet for farmers to interventions from the national government including distribution of fertilizers and financial aid,” Morales said.
The DA partnered with the Development Bank of the Philippines and Universal Storefront Services Corporation in the rollout of the IMC program.
DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn Dawayan welcomed the selection of Apayao and Kalinga as the pilot areas for the IMC distribution and emphasized the importance of the digitalization process.
“These are the first recipients of IMC at the national level which is in recognition of the digitalization challenge of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., this program also serves as a challenge to our merchants who are here with us to ensure that the prices provided are competitive while maintaining product for farmers use. This will also serve as a challenge to the Local Government Units to monitor the implementation of this project,” Dawayan stated.
Under this new modality, the suppliers and merchants showed their marketing strategy and dynamics which they will employ to the regional field office. The suppliers have been given full authority to market their seed and fertilizer products through the merchants that engaged with the farmers as the end users, with the merchants agreeing on a unified price for hybrid seeds, inorganic seeds, biofertilizers, and soil ameliorants.
The system ensures that every transaction is recorded, with every peso accounted for while warranting proof of development reaching farmers. The system has real-time payouts, eliminates redundant paperwork, and has 24-7 information technology support while giving DA-CAR more time to provide technical support to the farmers. The IMC contains basic information such as the beneficiaries’ name, photo, QR code, RSBSA number, and e-wallet card, hence, it is expected to enhance the DA’s distribution process while ensuring no leakages.
DA-Director for Rice Clustering and Consolidation Emerson Yago reiterated the need for farmers in the country to be ready to undergo clustering as one of the administration’s thrusts in improving the production of farmers.
“The farmers are the government’s number one client and focus, the IMC distribution is part of the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program headed by Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Usec. Christopher Morales and under IMC, farmers will also undergo clustering for the government to achieve its goal of improving the productivity and yield of farmers, while improving their earnings through a convergence, coordinated, and cooperative system of implementing government programs and projects,” Yago said.
Clustering is a strategic approach that involves organizing individual farmers from a specific locality into a group doing a similar business-type activity. Community-based farming is a holistic model-initiative farming system or production that is based in the community where the farmers reside.
DA-RFO CAR, Regional Rice Focal Person Edwin Joseph Franco pointed out that the use of the IMC has empowered the recipients of the two provinces in selecting the different varieties of hybrid seeds, bio-fertilizers, and ameliorants from their suppliers and merchants through the Provincial Rice Techno Forum caravan initiated by DA-CAR in Apayao and Kalinga.
“We are hopeful that through this modality, we are now able to eliminate the problems we have experienced in the past. Being the pilot region in the implementation of IMC, transparency and accountability in the intervention distribution process is now properly documented, including the liquidation process of funds which will now be transparent,” Franco added. By JTLlanes