SAN FERNANDO CITY, Aug. 30 (PIA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA-1) in the Ilocos and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) inked an agreement to support farmers through the Fertilizer Discount Voucher Scheme program.

“The allocation for this program is about P513.7 million, and shall support rice farmers to receive high-quality inbred and hybrid seeds in procuring inorganic fertilizers from accredited merchants in the region,” said DA-1 Regional Director Nestor Domenden.

He said that the said scheme is in support to the implementation of fertilizer distribution for this year under the Rice Resiliency Project (RRP) II of the Plant Plant Plant Program.

“This program aims to increase and boost local production of rice, combat global trade uncertainties, and promote food security amid the pandemic in the country,” Domenden added.

Further, he said that those farmers who planted inbred seeds can avail of two bags of fertilizers per hectare or P2,000.00 in the form of vouchers, and those who planted hybrids will be given three bags per hectare or P3,000.00 worth of vouchers.

Domenden signed the agreement in behalf of DA-1 and Acting Branch Head John Kimberly Sarmiento for DBP.

The signing was done at the DBP Branch located in this city.

According to DA-1, those qualified beneficiaries of the program are farmers registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) who have planted rice this dry season from September 2020 until March 2021.

Also qualified are those farmers who have not received an in-kind fertilizer. (JCR/AMB/AHFF/PIA-1)