CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) - - A total of 770 rice farmers from Sta Maria, Isabela who till less than two hectares of riceland recently received the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) from the Department of Agriculture (DA) - 2.

According to DA-2 Rice Program Coordinator and Assistant Chief of Field Operations Division Dr. Marvin Luis, each rice farmer received P5,000 dried from the collected tariff in the implementation of Republic Act No. 11203 otherwise known as the Rice Tarification Law. 

“These interventions shall fully benefit the farmers in their farming activities until the full implementation of the law in 2024,” Luis said.

He said the DA has allotted P7.5 million for 2021 and 2022 in Sta Maria intended for 1,510 rice farmers for RFFA.

He said the DA also allocated P13.2 million for rice seeds and fertilizers for 2022 in the town and these were already distributed for the dry cropping season through the office of the Municipal Agriculturists.

Meanwhile, Isabela 1st District Board Member Delfinito Albano III, who represented 1st District Congressman Antonio "Tonypet" Albano, expressed support to DA’s initiatives. 

He said that Congressman Albano will always push for the development of agriculture sector in Congress especially the farmers. (MGE / PIA Isabela)