VIGAN CITY, July 24 (PIA) -- Farmers and farmer-associations, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) members, and some local government units of Ilocos Sur received more than P20 million worth of various assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday.

In a ceremony held at the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC) in Sta. Maria, farm machinery and equipment, farm inputs, assorted vegetable seeds, coconut seedlings, and cash assistance for the implementation of various projects were awarded to the said recipients.

It was spearheaded by Agriculture Secretary William Dar.

One of the beneficiaries was the SK Federation of Sta. Maria who received some 143 coconut seedlings, 30 trays of assorted vegetable crops and 12 vermicast fertilizers to be given to six chosen barangays.

In a Facebook post, the youth expressed their gratitude to the support of the DA to their organization.

“We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the pride of Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur -- the Secretary of the DA, Hon. William Dar for the outpouring support and blessing which motivate and empower the youth in doing their part in sustaining food in their communities,” they said.

Secretary Dar also led the launching of the tissue culture laboratory and groundbreaking of the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Food Hub in the ISPSC-Sta. Maria.

In his message, Secretary Dar urged the state college to realign its directions by transforming from teaching into a research college thus, to improve economic development and reduce poverty not only in the province, but in the region as well.

As such, he challenged higher education institutions in the country to follow the pathway towards the realization of being a research institution to improve food productivity levels and help in the development of Philippine agriculture.

Moreover, Secretary Dar led the inauguration and opening of the P5 million worth Narvacan Trading Post-Warehouse in Barangay Margaay, Narvacan on the same day.

The warehouse, which was established under the Bayanihan 2 project, aims to provide an area for consolidation of agricultural commodities produced by members of the Nueva Segovia Cooperative Consortium (NSCC).

The facility will contribute immensely to the success of the food quadrants being developed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the benefit of the consumers from Metro Manila, the Secretary said. (JCR/AMB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur with reports from the DA-RO1)