₱516M Agri-Input Aid Now Underway To Boost Caraga Rice Production

As the wet season sets in, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga is ramping up support for rice farmers across the region to help sustain their fields amid heavy rains and potential flooding.

To bolster this effort, DA-Caraga through the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRDIP) has committed a total of ₱516 million to reinforce rice production across the region for the 2025 cropping year. This includes ₱103 million allocated under the CY 2024 Balance Discount Voucher for the first cropping season of 2025, and ₱412.9 million under the 2025 Wet Season Allocation.

The initial ₱103 million assistance is already benefiting 37,255 rice farmers, covering 52,129 hectares. Distributed via discount vouchers, including Seed Discount Voucher (SDV), Soil Ameliorant Discount Voucher (SADV), Biofertilizer Discount Voucher (BFDV), Fertilizer Discount Voucher (FDV), and Drone Discount Voucher. With the total budget allocation, the Province of Surigao del Norte has allocated P10.3 million worth of discount vouchers, covering 9,100 hectares, while Surigao del Sur received P12.5 million to support 13,450 hectares. Meanwhile, Agusan del Norte allotted P24.3 million for 12,000 hectares, and Agusan del Sur received the highest allocation at P31.7 million, benefiting 15,615 hectares.

According to Regional Rice Focal Person Rey Frias, the voucher allocations are a direct response to the challenges faced by farmers, particularly the anticipated decline in rice production caused by limited use of agricultural inputs and unfavorable weather condition.

“The support is part of the DA’s Masagana Rice Industry Development Program that enables our rice farmers to supplement agri input requirements needed for their production,” he said.

On June 25, the Rice Program launched the distribution of discount vouchers in Madrid, Surigao del Sur. The initial rollout benefited 634 farmers under the FDV program and another 634 farmers under the SADV and BFDV components. Distribution efforts will continue throughout the region until July 25.

Following this, the DA-Caraga has positioned a second wave of distribution to further support rice production in the region, benefiting 216 farmer groups across 138,849 hectares through the ₱412.9 million total allocation. This support seeks to help farmers lower input costs and

boost productivity despite the adverse weather. Out of the total budget, ₱75 million is allotted for hybrid seeds, ₱51 million for hybrid seeds fertilizer, ₱246.4 million for inbred seeds fertilizer, ₱22.5 million for biofertilizer, and ₱18 million for soil ameliorants.

The distribution will continue in the month of August, ensuring more farmers receive support during this planting season.

With the ₱516 million support, DA-Caraga aims to not only stabilize rice production during the wet season but also improve regional yield, reduce losses, and strengthen the resilience of over 37,000 rice farmers. By covering a combined area of nearly 191,000 hectares, the program is poised to significantly contribute to the region’s rice sufficiency and national food security goals.  (Lovely Joy L. Saludez/DA-Caraga, RAFIS)