The Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga through the Regional Corn Program is currently conducting a distribution caravan on the Fertilizer Discount Subsidy for corn and cassava farmers in identified areas in Caraga Region.

This is after the regional launching held at DA-Caraga Covered Court in Butuan City on September 1, 2022.

The project aims to sustain the fertilizer application of farmer-beneficiaries and increase the yield level of corn and cassava amid the surging and volatile prices of fertilizers.

“We know that we are facing challenges, especially the increasing price of fertilizers, so I hope you will use this to continue planting,” Regional Technical Director for Operations Rebecca Reyes Atega said.

During the regional launch, 217 corn and cassava farmers in Butuan City received discount vouchers worth P2,000.

Melody Guimary, OIC of the Field Operations Division disclosed that a total of 1,986 farmers were identified to benefit from the subsidy with an allocation of P3.8 million.

“We hear your sentiments regarding your difficulty in buying the sufficient rate of fertilizers for your crop due to its current price. Through this discount voucher, your expenses for fertilizer would be reduced and increase your productivity and profitability,” she stressed.

Guimary explained that the recipients were endorsed by the local government units and were registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), and part of the identified corn-cassava cluster areas.

Christopher H. Lindo, Chair of the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council, encouraged the farmers that despite many challenges, they will continue to support the agriculture industry and become resilient. 

Meanwhile, Butuan City Agriculturist Engr. Pierre Anthony D. Joven assured that the City Government of Butuan will always implement programs in collaboration with DA to uplift the lives of the farmers.

“We are one in your hope that Programs like this will continue, not just now, but also in the future. Please know that our government is working for you,” he said.

Atty. William Christian Dela Cruz of the Office of Representative Jose Aquino II also echoed the support of the congressman for the farmers in the first district comprising the City of Butuan and the Municipality of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte.

One of the beneficiaries from Barangay San Mateo, Emilio Dapiton was grateful to the DA for the assistance he received.

“I will use this P2,000 voucher as an addition to the fertilizers for my next planting. This is a great help,” he said.

Meanwhile, another recipient Sarah Ingking of Manila de Bugabos said that the discount voucher would help her reduce the fertilizer expenses for her corn farm. 

The discount vouchers are for one-time use only and may be claimed at any accredited fertilizer merchant.

Under the project, the fertilizer discount voucher will be used by the farmer-beneficiaries in purchasing inorganic fertilizers from accredited merchants.

The distribution is being set for the whole month of September 2022, in coordination with the concerned local government units. (Lovely Joy Saludez/Aurelius P. Arais/DA-Caraga)