A total of 1,835 members of various farmer organizations in Negros Occidental are expected to benefit from the projects funded under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Tuesday acknowledged the assistance received by the province during the distribution rites led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos in Talisay City on Sunday.

“I joined the President when he distributed (the) financial assistance. This is under the PRDP,” he said.

The recipients included the Salvanticam Native Chicken Breeding, Production and Marketing Enterprise, which received PHPP7.06 million, for five proponent groups with 444 beneficiaries; Negros Occidental Goat Breeding and Marketing Enterprise, PHP16.90 million, four proponent groups, 490 beneficiaries; and Negros Occidental Virgin Coconut Oil Production and Marketing Enterprise, PHP11.98 million, two proponent groups, 152 beneficiaries.

Others were the Chicks Area Coffee Processing and Marketing Enterprise, PHP11.94 million, two proponent groups, 379 beneficiaries; Kape Primera De La Castellana Coffee Processing and Marketing Enterprise, PHP11.05 million, two proponent groups, 193 beneficiaries; and Cadiz City Coffee Processing and Marketing Enterprise, PHP11.71 million, eight proponent groups, 177 beneficiaries.

Under the Special Areas for Agricultural Development Program, farmers from Don Salvador Benedicto were granted PHP2.82 million in financial assistance for coffee and corn production; Toboso, duckling, native chicken, corn and coffee production, PHP3.74 million; and Moises Padilla, corn and native chicken production, PHP1.12 million.

Lacson also received the certificate for palay seeds intended for 100 farmers under the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund. (PNA)