By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY — Amid a worsening drought, rice and corn farmers in the fifth district of Negros Occidental have received P118 million in assistance from the provincial government.
Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson, along with officials from the fifth district, recently led the launch of the “Binhi sang Probinsiya” program.
The initiative included a ceremonial corn harvest and the distribution of rice and corn agricultural inputs totaling P11.8 million to farmers. The event took place at the Negros First Integrated Agricultural Center (NFIAC) in Brgy. Cabadiangan, Himamaylan City.
The project, overseen by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), comprises three components: Seed Production and Certification, Sustainable Integrated Farming, and Support for the Establishment of Corn Production in Various Demo Farms of the Provincial Government.
The Seed Production and Certification component is designed to enhance the production of high-quality seeds for farmers.
It includes a P5 million allocation for NFIAC Demo Farm inputs, such as the purchase of registered rice seeds, fertilizers, and labor, as well as support for the Negros Occidental Seed Growers and Agriculture Cooperative (NOSGACO).
Sustainable Integrated Farming aims to support integrated farming systems for lowland and upland farmers engaged in sugarcane, corn, and rice-based farming systems.
This part of the project promotes crop diversification and augments farmers’ incomes by distributing leguminous crops and assorted vegetables.
Additionally, corn shellers and manual corn seeders will be provided to assist farmers in planting and milling activities.
The project’s beneficiaries include local government units (LGUs) such as San Carlos City, Calatrava, Murcia, Cadiz City, La Castellana, Isabela, Moises Padilla, Himamaylan City, Binalbagan, Kabankalan City, Ilog, Cauayan, and Hinobaan.
Further, corn production facilities will be established across various demo farms in the province to benefit those engaged in corn production, including the provision of certified corn seeds and fertilizers.
The event was also attended by Fifth District Rep. Dino Yulo, 5th District Board Members Rita Gatuslao and Anton Occeño, 6th District Board Member Jeffrey Tubola, Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson Jr., and OIC Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Dina Genzola.
According to the latest report from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, the intense heat brought on by the El Niño phenomenon has caused P302,224,913 in damages across the rice, corn, and aquaculture sectors in Negros Occidental.
