BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Agriculture-Cordillera (DA-CAR) Rice Program has achieved a 35% distribution rate for production support services to farmers, totaling Php 97.5M as of Friday, August 2, 2024.
Edwin Joseph Franco, DA-CAR Regional Rice Coordinator says that all six provinces in the region have received their initial allotments of hybrid seeds, biofertilizers, and fertilizers for the wet season. Distributions are made easier through the use of an Intervention Monitoring Card (IMC). A project piloted by the DA-CAR Rice Program.
The first in the entire country utilizing a new ‘fully digitalized’ modality in distributing production support assistance in the whole region. The Rice Program is on track to complete the remaining distributions until September 15, 2024.
The distribution of hybrid seeds has reached 77%, with 8,742.84 hectares covered out of a target of 11,371 hectares. Distribution details are as follows: Apayao- 4,779 hectares, Abra- 1,304.36 hectares, Ifugao- 58 hectares in-kind, Mountain Province- 295.32 hectares (226.47 IMC & 68.85 in-kind), Benguet- 175.62-hectares (18.35 IMC & 157.27 in-kind).
To date, PhP43 million worth of fertilizers have been distributed, which is 26 % of the target amount of PhP163.6 million. Delays in planting due to El Niño and the scheduled water set for July in Kalinga have affected the distribution.
However, efforts are underway to complete the distribution by August 30, 2024 says Franco.
The following are the distribution details: PhP24.6 million in Apayao, PhP3.6 million in Abra, PhP5.2 million in Kalinga, PhP7.1 million in Ifugao, PhP2.1 million in Mountain Province, and PhP230,815 in Benguet.
A total of PhP17.5 million in biofertilizers has been distributed, achieving 31.05% of the target of PhP56.4 million.
These are the distribution details: Apayao- PhP9.7 million, Abra- PhP1.5 million, Kalinga- PhP1.9 million, Ifugao- PhP2.9 million, Mountain Province- PhP898,147, and Benguet- PhP437,382.
The regional team remains committed to completing the distribution of all interventions within specified timelines. By Rencel Bono
