LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – From the rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructures to cash assistance, rice farmers gratefully received different interventions from the Department of Agriculture- Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR).
During the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) and Organic Agriculture Month (OAM) Information Caravan and Consultation cum Turnover Ceremony at the ongoing Adivay Agri-Fair in La Trinidad, Benguet on November 22, 2022, DA-CAR awarded certificates of turnover and acceptance to the four rice farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) from Benguet in support of rice production.
The awarded FCAs were the Legab-Teeng Organization from Bakun, Benguet, for the completed construction of Legab Diversion Dam amounting to P2.8 million; Hydro Nangalisan-Bayabas-Galian Farmers and Irrigators Association from Nangalisan in Tuba, Benguet, for the completed rehabilitation of Payacpac Irrigational Canal amounting to P5.4 million; Shalupirip Farmers and Irrigators Association from Dalupirip in Itogon, Benguet, for the completed rehabilitation of Palanchey Irrigation Canal amounting to P5.2 million; and Sitio Kalew Farmers Association from Dalupirip in Itogon, Benguet, for the completed construction of a warehouse amounting to P500,000.
The province of Benguet also received a certificate of award for the P38.9 million total worth of seeds, fertilizers, and soil ameliorants for the wet cropping season 2022 and dry cropping season from 2022 to 2023, and Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund–Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA) Program. This award is still in support of rice production.
Wenefreda Bagnisen from Legab in Bakun, Benguet conveyed her gratitude on behalf of rice farmer beneficiaries for the support of DA-CAR to improve rice farming in Bakun through their association.
Before the turnover ceremony, DA-CAR Regional Technical Director for Operations Danilo Daguio shared the different rice and organic programs of DA-CAR. Afterwards, Randy Soriano, Training Specialist from the Agricultural Training Institute, enumerated the importance of NRAM and OAM celebrations.
Meanwhile, different stakeholders of the province delivered their messages of support. Acting Provincial Agriculturist Delinia Juan said that due to the diminishing rice areas in Benguet, the remaining rice areas should be sustained and not converted into fields that plant high-value crops. She also challenged the rice farmers to continue planting heirloom rice.
Likewise, Jiralyn Siddayao, filling-in for Congressman Eric Yap, appreciated the efforts of DA-CAR in giving assistance to the farmers of Benguet. Siddayao added that Yap continues to exert efforts to bolster the agriculture industry in Benguet with the filing of a House Bill, which would give financial assistance to the farmers who were ravaged by natural calamities. By JBPeralta
