The Department of Agriculture (DA) rolled out farm and fishery equipment and infrastructure projects in Zamboanga del Sur province as part of a P1.27 billion assistance package.
The department also launched “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!”, President Marcos’ flagship food security program, to bring a P20 rice initiative to Zamboanga del Sur.
Priority projects for the province include P803 million for farm-to-market roads, P67.6 million for cacao processing and marketing and P195 million for completed farm-to-market roads. Livelihood support worth P6.4 million is also underway in the municipalities of Dumingag and Lakewood.
The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) handed over a P46.7-million Integrated White Copra Drying and Coconut Oil Processing Facility to the Ramon Magsaysay Coconut Farmers Marketing Cooperative. It also provided P82.8 million worth of tractors, single-pass mills, harvesters and other equipment.
The Philippine Coconut Authority released P2.24 million in hybrid coconut seedlings and fertilizers under its Coconut Hybridization Program. Registered farmers are entitled to up to 143 seeds and fertilizer inputs per hectare for a maximum of three hectares.
The department’s regional office distributed nearly P23 million in unconditional cash aid to 3,258 rice farmers under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. Some 945 farmers in six towns will receive P3,000 each in fuel assistance, totaling P2.84 million.
To help revive swine production, the Agricultural Training Institute launched a P9 million Swine Industry Recovery Project in Pagadian, Tukuran, Midsalip and Sominot.
The project provides beneficiaries with housing, feeds, piglets, medicines, and insurance support through local cooperatives.
The town of Guipos will also benefit from a P4.75 million project under the Upgraded Swine Artificial Insemination for Barangay program, which includes breeder housing, 10 boars, and a swine AI laboratory.
The National Dairy Authority allocated P1.17 million to provide dairy cows to farmers in Mahayag and Molave. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources committed P26.6 million for seaweed growers, which includes a warehouse and drying facility, 600 sets of farm implements, and five fiber boats.
