"Dako kaayu ning tabang in a way nga mapababa ang production cost sa farmer kay mao mana ang mithiin nga pababaon ang production cost pero pataason ang atong ani o yield para in the end of the day naa gyud mauli si farmer nga madala nga kita sa kanya-kanyang panimalay" said Floro B. Bernal, a beneficiary from Brgy. Dauman, Montevista.
On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, a Ceremonial Turnover of Seeds and Fertilizer Assistance under the Seed and Fertilizer Discount Voucher Program to rice farmers was successfully conducted by the Department of Agriculture (DA), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Davao de Oro through the Provincial Agriculturist's Office (PAGRO).
Over 300 farmer-beneficiaries across the province joined the ceremonial turnover at the Children's Park, Provincial Capitol Grounds, receiving agricultural inputs and vouchers that can be used to purchase discounted seeds and fertilizers from the preferred accredited merchants in their area and for one-time use only.
The Seed discount vouchers can be used by the farmer-beneficiaries to get hybrid rice seeds worth Php 5,000/ha with a maximum coverage of 10 ha while the fertilizer discount voucher is valued at Php 3,400/ha and includes vouchers for Soil Ameliorants for Micronutrients and Bio-Fertilizers at Php 1,000.00/ha.
Governor Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga, in her message, saluted the farmers for their dedication as they are the most important sector in society, bringing food to each family's table.
"Ang among pagsaludo, pagrespeto, ug pagpasalamat, kanunay gayud kana magpadayun kaninyong mga mag-uuma labi na diri sa Davao de Oro. Mabuhay mong tanan, mabuhay ang mag-uuma sa Davao de Oro, mabuhay ang DA", Governor Gonzaga concluded.
According to PAGRO, DA has allocated more than Php 93.5 Million equivalent to 13,945 hectares (ha) of rice area for this program which will benefit a total of 9,352 rice farmers from the rice-producing municipalities in the province.
The breakdown of farmer-beneficiaries per municipality included Compostela (2,746), Nabunturan (2,352), Monkayo (1,014), Mawab (835), New Bataan (807), Montevista (772), Maragusan (495), Laak (290), Maco (32), and Pantukan (9).
Yesterday marked the beginning of the assistance distribution and another schedule will continue in each respective municipality until June of this year.
Accompanying the Governor during the event were PAGRO head Jaime Anter, Regional Executive Director Macario Gonzaga, Regional Farmer Director Epifanio Loyola Jr., Regional Technical Dir. for Operations Marie Ann Constantino, Mayor Ruperto Gonzaga III, Mayor Myrocel Balili, Vice Mayor Rodel Balili and among others.
(Jaynus Fernandez, Photos by Rizalino Naval Jr.)
