The Department of Agriculture (DA) has extended financial support to farmers in the Cordillera to support their income and resources, aiming to enhance vegetable output, encourage crop diversification, and upgrade post-harvest facilities.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said a total of P130 million has been distributed for finance, equipment, and irrigation initiatives, while P454 million will be allocated to infrastructure subprojects, and P13.9 million will be placed in one agricultural enterprise subproject.

The subprojects are said to be completed by 2024.

The funds were generated from the DA’s Philippine Rural Development Scale-up, which invested P2.73 billion in 104 finished infra and enterprise subprojects in six Cordillera provinces.

These projects would benefit the region as 80 percent of highland vegetables are produced within the area.

“To further enhance the region’s output, we are also turning over P417,000 worth of farm machinery to three farmer cooperatives and associations in the Mountain Province,” Tiu Laurel told DA officials, farmers, traders, and other stakeholders in Benguet.

Meanwhile, Tiu Laurel said that the P170 million worth of rural development program for Cordillera has benefitted 74 farmer groups with over 59 finished subprojects.

“The assistance we're providing is seen to promote sustainable growth through better production, processing, marketing, and distribution of high-value crops,” the DA chief shared.

To reduce the expiry rates of highland vegetables, the DA will construct cold storage facilities in Benguet, La Union, Taguig City, Mindoro, and in Sariaya, Quezon.

Furthermore, the agriculture sector and the Cordillera local government units (LGUs) will work together to stabilize farm income and crop choices to promote better farming practices.

During his visit in Baguio City, agriculture chief also allotted P25.9 million to assist in the rehabilitation of damaged rice fields brought by Typhoon Egay.

The calamity struck 8.200 hectares of rice, affecting 14,714 farmers due to losses.

“About P82.9 million worth of rice production and post-harvest equipment and facilities from the mechanization budget of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund that is administered by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization were awarded to local government units in Kalinga and Ifugao,” the DA explained.

Last year, P619 million out of the P12 billion RCEF allotment were handed to 122,130 eligible farmers with 2 hectares of land or less in Cordillera.

“[We also] turned over P41.2 million of completed irrigation projects to CAR irrigators associations to increase yield in 195 hectares tilled by 299 farmers,” Tiu Laurel added.

In the side of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, P5.85 million worth of community fish landing center and three units of fish cages were provided for Apayao fisherfolk groups.