187 corn farmers in Apayao avails 4.6M loan from DA

Apayao, Philippines – With the continuous implementation of the Expanded SURE Aid and Recovery Project in the region, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reports that 187 farmers in this province have availed the program.

Beneficiaries came from the municipalities of Calanasan, Conner, Flora, Kabugao, Luna, Pudtol, and Sta. Marcela.

The agency reports that a total amount of P4.6 million was released to Apayao through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) on March 22 to March 26, 2021.

Each farmer could borrow up to P25, 000.00 with zero interest and without collateral. They are given up to 10 years to pay.

According to Regional Agricultural Credit Desk Officer Jocelyn Beray, the program aims to provide working capital assistance for micro and small enterprises (MSEs) and finance the emergency and production requirements of small farmers and fisher folk whose livelihood was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The program, she said, is part of the “Ahon Lahat, Pagkain Sapat (ALPAS)" kontra Covid or the Plant, Plant, Plant Program which aims to increase farm productivity and ensure food sufficiency.

Jerry Cudiamat, one of the farmer-beneficiaries from Flora, Apayao, expressed his gratitude to the agency, considering that the loan is timely, especially in facing the economic losses brought about by the health crisis.

According to Cudiamat, he will utilize the loan he received as capital to continue planting rice, corn, and banana on his three-hectare farm to provide for his family.

He expressed that the loan came as a blessing for him to recover the productivity of his land. He committed to make the most of said assistance, so in a way he could also contribute to the country’s food security program.

As of April 8, 2021, the agency reported that a total of Php239, 825,000 was released and have been borrowed by 9,593 farmer-beneficiaries in the region.

The agency will also be releasing an additional Php31, 250,000 for said program to benefit 1,250 farmers in the Cordillera this year.

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