The Department of Agriculture (DA) holds the first Usapang Palay with the different farmers’ organizations and Municipal Agriculturist Officers in the province.
The activity aims to inform the farmers on the different interventions of the department and its attached agencies in preparation for the implementation of Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law.
Programs and services of DA, National Food Authority-Abra (NFA), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), and Institutional Development Unit (IDU) were introduced to the farmers in order to develop them to be more competitive in rice production.
Among the programs introduced are regular procurement program, credit and loan assistance programs, training for farmers, crop insurances, and accreditation program.
Roelito Valeros of NFA-Abra said that they already stopped purchasing imported rice to support the farmers. In addition,NFA-Abra will only buy local produce of the Abreños for rice buffer stocking.
Marlyn Tejero, Regional Rice Program Tejero of the Department of Agriculture, assured that the department will support the farmers in production through the provision of high-quality seeds and fertilizers aside from credits and insurances.
