President Marcos has launched a program where farmers can borrow capital at a low interest to help them boost their productivity.

Marcos launched the Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid (APP) Program during his visit in Mindanao on Friday, April 11.

"Sa ilalim ng Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program, maaari na po kayong makahiram ng puhunan hanggang P60,000 sa mababang interes na dalawang porsyento kada taon. Simula ngayon, hindi ninyo po kailangang alalahanin ang mataas na tubo na kaakibat ng inyong hinihiram (Under the Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program, you may now borrow capital of up to P60,000 at a low interest rate of two percent per year. Starting today, you no longer have to worry about the high interest usually associated with loans)," Marcos told farmers in Sarangani.

"Maaari rin po ninyo itong bayaran sa pamamagitan ng [pagbebenta] ng inyong ani sa National Food Authority o NFA, sa mga DA-accredited cooperatives din (You can pay through dswlling your produce to the NFA and to Department of Agriculture-accredited cooperatives)," Marcos added.

Initially rolled out in September last year, the program aims to assist rice farmer-members of agricultural cooperatives across 1.2 million hectares nationwide. It targets to increase their productivity and income by providing low-cost credit, financial assistance and a ready market for their harvests.

In his speech, Marcos told the farmers that the government is aware of the challenges they are facing, including financial problems.

"Hindi po lingid sa ating kaalaman ang mga pagsubok na patuloy na inyong hinaharap. May ilan nga po sa inyo na napipilitang umutang nang napakataas na interes—isang sitwasyong lalong nagpapabigat pa sa inyong pinagdaraanan (We are well aware of the challenges you continue to face. Some of you have even been forced to borrow money with extremely high interest rates—a situation that only adds to your burdens)," Marcos said.

"Bilang tugon ng pamahalaan, inilulunsad natin ang Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program. Bunga po ito ng masusing pag-aaral, matibay na pagtutulungan, at malalim na malasakit mula sa iba’t ibang sangay ng pamahalaan (As a response from the government, we are launching the Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program. This is the result of careful study, strong collaboration, and deep concern from various branches of the government," he added.

During the event, the President also turned over various farm machineries and equipment to select local government units and farmers' cooperative associations in the region.

He also checked on the agri-products of Planters Products, Inc. (PPI) and conducts a quick visit to the Kadiwa ng Pangulo booths at the venue.