LANAO DEL NORTE (PIA)–Lanao del Norte Provincial Agricultural Officer Letecia G. Ditucalan is thankful on the releasing of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office (DA)-10’s Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA), considering the initiative a significant agricultural assistance for rice farmers in the province.
Ditucalan pointed out the timeliness of the assistance, noting the onset of the COVID-19 crisis and its relevance to the farmers in the nearing rice planting season.
“We are thankful to DA-10 for this financial assistance which is a big help for our rice farmers. Through this, our farmers can buy fertilizers and spend it for farm labor since it is almost planting season,” Ditucalan said.
She added that the farmers in the area can buy their daily needs with the assistance while they are under quarantine or lockdown.
Ditucalan said her office has been in the forefront implementing immediate COVID-19 interventions in the province.
In coordination with DA-10 provincial office in Lanao del Norte, the province distributed various vegetable seeds to the different municipalities in Lanao.
“We encourage the people in the province to plant even in their small backyard. Their vegetable garden can be an essential food source in case the quarantine or lockdown will last longer,” Ditucalan said.
Meanwhile, DA-10 Field Operations Division, OIC-Chief Audy G. Maagad said the distribution of DA-10 RFFA is essential to ease the burden of Lanao rice farmers while facing the COVID-19 crisis.
“With this financial assistance released, we are hoping that the farmers can continue with their farm works,” Maagad said.
On top of the financial aid, DA-10 through its Field Operations Division, particularly the Rice Program will continue to provide support to the rice farmers in Lanao del Norte, Maagad said citing the agency’s long-standing commitment to provide the rice farmers fertilizers and seeds assistance.Maagad led the distribution of DA-10 RFFA to 3,719 rice farmers in the 12 municipalities of Lanao del Norte, April 20-23. (DA10/PIA10)
