To help the rice farmers regain their capacity to continue their production, various financial aids such as loan programs are available for the farmers.

The Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Credit Policy Council in partnership with the Landbank of the Philippines already released ₱84.9 Million cash assistance to the rice farmers from the four provinces in Caraga under the Expanded Survival and Recovery Assistance (SURE-Aid) Program.

Since last October, 5661 rice farmers from the provinces of Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte including Butuan City received a zero-interest loan of ₱15,000, payable in eight years.

DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo together with LBP Caraga North Lending Center Manager LinbertFajunio and Municipal Mayor Richard Daquipil led the second batch of cash card distribution to the 150 rice farmers in the municipality of RTR, Agusan del Norte on February 14.

“The DA continues to support the farmers. I am hoping that the cash assistance that is given to the farmer-recipients must serve its purpose. This must be applied to each rice farm and must not be converted to other things,” Monteagudo said.

The DA together with its partner agencies and the local government unit will conduct monitoring afterward to ensure that the assistance has truly served its purpose.

Yolanda D. Lozano, 55 years old, a rice farmer from P-2 Tagbongabong, RTR, Agusan del Norte said that she is thankful for the government’s support. She will use the amount to purchase fertilizers and pesticides for her area.

“I am very happy that I am one of the recipients of the SURE Aid Program. The financers in our area offer a 20% interest rate in a ₱1,000 that I borrow. But the program’s zero percent interest rate and flexible paying terms is a big help for us to continue producing local rice, she said.

SURE Aid Program supports farmers affected by the low buying prices of palay as an initial impact of the RTL implementation.

With the assistance of the Local Government Units, rice farmers who are farming one hectare and below were identified and validated by the DA-Caraga to qualify and receive the said assistance. (Rhea C. Abao, DA-Caraga RAFIS)