Department of Agriculture spends P20 million to support farmers, fisherfolk in Samar, Biliran

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) is spending P20 million for projects to support farmers and fisherfolk in Eastern Samar and Biliran.

The DA said that of the P20 million allotment, P12 million will be given to Eastern Samar, while P8 million will go to Biliran.

The funds, the department said, will be spent for an aquasilvi project which will involve the rehabilitation of mangrove areas and increasing the production of marine fish species, including crabs.

Part of the funds, it said, will likewise go to various equipment to help farmers and fishers’ groups in production such as hand tractors, rice threshers, flatbed dryers, multi-purpose drying pavements, corn mill, pump and engine sets, cassava granulators, seed cleaners, banana chips processing equipment, fish cages, fishing paraphernalia and implements.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the funds will also be used for the distribution of certified rice seeds, hybrid and corn seeds, coconut seedlings, salt and organic fertilizers, assorted vegetable seeds, seaweed planting materials, veterinary drugs and medicines, and several livestock animals like Brahman bulls, carabaos, dozens of sheep and anglo-nubian bucks.

Alcala also committed to provide several units of corn mill in the province since a large number of the farmers in the provinces eat white corn grits.

He also encouraged coconut farmers to intercrop white corn and raise goat and sheep under the coconut trees.

The farmers, he said, will be assisted by the department through the Philippine Coconut Authority under its nationwide coconut replanting, intercropping and livelihood program.

Alcala likewise consulted with thousands of farmers, fishers and local officials at eight different sites in the two provinces to determine how the department can still provide assistance to them.

He also enjoined provincial and local government officials to enlist Biliran and Eastern Samar, and their respective municipalities under the proposed Central Philippines Rural Development Program (CPRDP).

The DA is seeking funding from the World Bank for the CPRDP, which will be patterned after the Mindanao Rural Development Program.

The CPRDP will involve the construction of needed infrastructure such as farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, agri-fishery trading centers, and postharvest facilities, including the implementation of sustainable farm and fishery enterprises and livelihood projects.