Naic, Cavite - With the primary objective of empowering Filipino farmers in CALABARZON region, the National Irrigation Administration IV-A (NIA) joins hands with nine (9) Irrigators Associations (IAs) in Cavite and Batangas provinces. The two (2) parties inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the NIA Rice Farming Support Program on April 16, aiming to bolster farmers’ livelihood and agricultural productivity in the said provinces.
Leading the initiative were Regional Manager Engr. Roberto Delacruz, represented by Administrative and Finance Division Manager Ms. Reynaria Tapia, along with NIA Cavite-Batangas IMO Manager Engr. Edwin Nazareno. The IAs were equally represented by Cavite IA Federation President Mr. Arnesto Dino and Batangas IA Federation President Mr. Teoforo Jonson.
Engr. Nazareno voiced strong support for the rice contract farming, emphasizing its crucial role in assisting farmers and the agricultural sector. "Magsama-sama tayo para sa mas malakas na puwersa na magpapaunlad sa sektor ng agrikultura," he emphasized.
As stipulated in the MOA, NIA commits to providing farm inputs pegged at PHP 50,000 per hectare which consists of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, bio-fertilizers, and cash assistance. In return, the IAs will ensure efficient utilization of these inputs and oversee various activities related to improved Palay production. The initiative will include 100 hectares under rice contract farming, benefitting 62 farmers in Cavite and Batangas.
AFD Manager R. N.Tapia hailed rice contract farming as a motivational tool for farmers to actively engage in boosting agricultural productivity. She credited the program to NIA Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen's vision to effectively support farmers.
“Nakikita ko na itong programa na contract farming ay isang strategic approach ng ating NIA Top Management para epektibong maalalayan ang ating mga magsasaka. Kaya naman we hope na yung ating mga beneficiaries nito as mas maging kabahagi ng isinusulong na Food Security initiative ng gobyerno”, she added.
Covering three (3) irrigation systems, namely Balayungan River Irrigation System and Kay Akle River Irrigation System in Cavite, and Palico River Irrigation System in Batangas, the said MOA encompasses 9 IAs. These include Putat Balok Balok Bayabas IA, Campo Avejar IA, Nasugbu Batangas Central IA, Banlikan IA, Nasugbu East Farmers IA Inc., SMMT Cavite Pioneer IA, CMSJTF IA, Balite-Munti-Doreo IA, and Bucal Pasong Malainen IA.
Mr. Arnesto Dino expresses his gratitude to NIA for bringing in program that will ensure the livelihood and income of small farmers. "Sa tingin po namin hindi lamang pagtaas ng ani ang tina-target ng programa na ito kundi upang matulungan din kami na matigil ang mga gawain ng mapagsamantalang rice traders", he said.
Mr. Teoforo Jonson acknowledges that the program will open more opportunities to improve their livelihood. "Kaya gagawin po namin ang lahat para magtagumpay ang programa na ito na dati ay panaginip lamang ngunit ngayon ay nagkakaroon na ng katuparan dahil sa NIA", he expressed.
According to Supervising IDO Ms. Sofia Resureccion, the Agency reports a total of 271 hectares involved in contract farming regionwide, benefiting 278 farmers belonging to 17 IAs across Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon provinces.
Aligned with NIA Memorandum Circular No. 04, series of 2024, the Rice Contract Farming Scheme is an initiative of NIA Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen which aims to enhance rice production quality, speed, and sustainability, supporting the government's drive for rice sufficiency by providing irrigation water and essential agricultural inputs to boost farmer productivity and competitiveness.
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