Northern Samar grants additional assistance to more than a hundred farmer recipient of Agrikulturang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program

By AILENE N. DIAZ, PIA Northern Samar
April 10, 2012

CATARMAN, Northern Samar  –  More than a hundred recipient of Agrikulturang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program from the town of Las Navas were given additional assistance by the provincial government as the provincial counterpart initiated in line with the convergence program of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Municipality of Las Navas.

The farmers-recipient are also beneficiaries of 4Ps program of DSWD whose farm land within the 5 barangays of Las Navas are covered by irrigation project under the Help for Catubig Agricultural Advancement Project (HCAAP).

Provincial Agriculturist Damian Acero said, assistance given to the farmers include 100 bags of certified seeds and 100 liters of fertilizers. Also, they were able to avail of farm mechanization program of the province. Under the program, farmers-recipients availed of an easy and non-interest bearing loan of two tractors, as an initiative of the provincial government of Northern Samar.

Governor Paul Daza also instructed to give insurance coverage on the seeds planted by the farmers so that the capital they invested will be insured and thus get an indemnity when calamity occurs and destroys their plantation. The provincial government paid 50 percent of the insurance premiums of the farmers, while the other 50 percent was shouldered by the Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, Acero added.

Through the assistance of the provincial government and other agencies, Acero expects an increase in rice production. He estimated a production of 120 cavans per hectare as compared to the previous usual production of 30-40 cavans per hectare.