The city government of Kabankalan in Negros Occidental granted its rice farmers a P10-million fertilizer assistance to ensure food security amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Mayor Pedro Zayco Jr. said that since agriculture production is the main source of consumption needs, it is important to support the farmers through the “50:50 Scheme Fertilizer Subsidy”.
“This program will provide farmers increased income and will improve growth rate yield,” the mayor said.
Zayco led the launching held at the city’s demo farm in Barangay Hilamonan on Tuesday, together with Vice Mayor Raul Rivera, Councilors Efren Gaspillo, Jeanna Cordova and Helen Zafra.
The program, being facilitated by City Agriculture Office officer-in-charge Ricky Muscosa and Executive Assistant Timothy Gargantiel, will benefit 72 farmers association.
Under the initiative, the fertilizers will be released based on a “50-50” scheme. Farmers will pay only 50 percent of the market price of complete 14-14-14 fertilizer while the other 50 percent will be shouldered by the city government.
A total of 3,571 sacks will be allotted to the first batch of farmers while 4,237 sacks will go to the second batch.
The CAO will assign rice technicians to the various barangays to ensure proper distribution of fertilizer supply. NLG
