According to the provincial government, such assistance was provided in response to the increasing cost of farm inputs, low productivity, climate change, and other challenges being faced by the farmers.
One of the beneficiaries was the Santa Maria Federated Tobacco Farmers Association with 534 members from 22 tobacco-producing barangays of Santa Maria town.
Victoria Fiesta, Federated Secretary of the association, said they received a portable rice mill, five knapsack sprayers, and three agricultural hoses.
“Malaking tulong ito sa amin bilang tobacco farmers lalo na itong sprayer upang mapaganda ang aming ani. Gayun din itong mga hose kasi biktima kami ng nagdaang mga bagyo at marami sa mga gamit namin ang nasira at tinangay ng rumaragasang tubig. So, we are striving so hard na mabigyan kami ng full support mula sa gobyerno. Malaking tulong na itong mga nabigay sa amin bilang panimula at maraming salamat kasi malaki ang puso o pagmamahal ng gobyerno sa aming mga magsasaka,” she said.
She likewise thanked the government for the portable rice mill because it would provide easier and faster access to milling.
“Hindi na kami lalayo pa. May portable rice miller na kami na nakahanda na pwede naming gamitin,” she added.
Another recipient was Puerta Real Farmers Association of Santo Domingo town which received an e-trike bike.
“First time naming makatanggap ng ganito kaya naman nagpapasalamat kami kasi malaking tulong ito sa pagbuhat ng mga ani namin o mga kagamitan sa pagsasaka. Salamat kasi hindi niyo kami kinakalimutan,” said Dennis Polca, president of the association.
Provincial Agriculturist Erlinda Baltazar said that at least twice a year, the provincial government awards such assistance to the farmer associations as part of the 10-point One Ilocos Sur agenda of the present administration under agricultural productivity. (JCR/MJTAB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)
