The Negros Occidental provincial government has allocated a total of PHP1.797 million worth of quick turn-around or early planting incentives to rice farmers in three southern towns.

On Tuesday, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson turned over PHP296,720 worth of checks to 177 beneficiaries Hinigaran, covering 148.36 hectares of rice farms.

Each rice farmer received the cash assistance in the presence of Mayor Nadie Arceo, during the rites held at the municipal gymnasium.

“Farmers have a huge contribution to the economy, and food is the most important and basic need of the people, especially with the present pandemic,” Lacson said.

The beneficiaries are farmers who responded to the call of the province to engage in early planting to supply the expected rice demand for Negrenses.

This is the first of three planting incentives scheduled for turnover this month.

On May 26, some 368 farmers in Valladolid will receive a total of PHP1.008 million in assistance while on May 27, some PHP492,800 worth of incentives will be released to 289 farmers in Candoni.

The program by Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) is to minimize the impact of food shortage amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The farmers were encouraged to plant rice during the months of April and May last year to make sure that enough crops will be harvested in the month of August and ensure food security and agricultural productivity in the coming months.

The Quick Turn-Around/Early Planting Incentives Projects aims to benefit 5,413 farmer-beneficiaries, covering 5,490.52 hectares in 27 cities and municipalities across the province. (PNA)