DA gives cash assistance to rice farmers in CAR

October 31, 2021 Provincial

Agriculture Secretary William Dar led the distribution of P5,000 cash assistance to Cordillera rice farmers in a simple program in Baguio City on Thursday (Oct. 28).
A component of the Rice Tariffication Law, the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) is an unconditional cash transfer program for rice farmers who are tilling 500 square meters to two hectares to help them in purchasing farm inputs and implements.
The RFFA is set to benefit 1.6 million rice farmers in the country, including 65,836 here in Cordillera.
The ceremonial distribution of financial assistance initially are for rice farmers in Benguet. Payment of the other beneficiaries in the region will continue until November, through the assistance of Development Bank of the Philippines and Squid Pay.
Dar outlined that the RFFA is one aspect why the Rice Tariffication Law is among the best reforms under the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
The law also aims to increase the rice production in the country and to reduce the cost of production so that rice farmers will have better income, he added.
In the same program, the Secretary led the ceremonial distribution of assistance to Cordillera farmers and fisherfolks who were affected by the recent Severe Tropical Storm Maring.
The DA through its Cordillera Regional Field Office has allocated P156 million from its Quick Response Fund for the purchase of farm inputs and materials that will help the typhoon – affected farmers cope with their losses.
DAR assured Cordillera farmers and fisherfolks that the national government is doing its best to address their concerns especially in improving production and better marketing system.
“Dapat silang matulungan para mas marami pang pagkain sa ating bansa. The farmers and the fishers are the real heroes in the countryside. They produce the food that every Filipino eats,” he said.
(JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)