Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has handed over P900 million worth of agricultural projects to farmers, fishermen, and organized groups in Western Visayas.
Farmers registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) are the beneficiaries of the unrestricted financial aid, boosting their rice cultivation on just no more than two hectares of land.
Meanwhile, P5,000 was given to each of the 392 farmers who were chosen to receive benefits from the Department of Agriculture's Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) program.
Aid distribution
The DA also organized a fuel subsidy distribution ceremony for 123 farmers in Iloilo, who will receive P3,150.00 apiece out of the P387,450.00 fuel subsidy that will be given to 17,870 farmers in the region.
Under Laurel's direction, P8.5 million in Kadiwa cash grants were given to four farmers' groups in Iloilo and the Iloilo Science and Technology University's Iloilo City campus to support their value-adding and market-linking initiatives.
By strengthening community-based organizations and farmers' cooperatives and associations (FCAs), the Kadiwa financial aid program overcomes the obstacles faced during and after the pandemic and guarantees a steady food supply.
To assist 40 beneficiaries who were negatively impacted by typhoons in the previous year and help them recover and reconstruct their livelihoods, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) also provided P2 million worth of interventions to fisherfolk cooperators. These interventions included 180 sets of fishing gear, 10 marine engines, and 10,000 pieces of tilapia fingerlings.
Importance of agri-fishery
The importance of agri-fishery is the backbone of the country's food security, economic stability, and environmental sustainability.
Producing fish, fruits, vegetables, animals, and staple crops is essential for providing millions of people with a healthy diet. A robust agri-fishery sector helps to achieve this goal. Investing in agri-fisheries can help countries reduce food shortages, hunger, and malnutrition.
Because it creates jobs, revenue, and foreign exchange profits, agri-fishery is vital to economic development. Additionally, the core of rural economies comprises agricultural laborers, fishermen, and small-scale farmers.
Agri-fisheries are critical to environmental sustainability, economic growth, and food security. Prioritizing investments in these areas will help nations handle pressing issues
