The Department of Agriculture in Bicol (DA-5) has provided a total of PHP30.18 million in assistance to farmers’ groups across the six provinces of Bicol as part of the Handog Pangulo Serbiyong Sapat para sa Lahat initiative on Sept. 13.

Lovella Guarin, the DA-5 spokesperson, reported on Monday that the Kadiwa ng Pangulo, which showcased exhibitors from various government agencies in these provinces, generated PHP1.6 million in sales and 3,000 Bicolanos purchased 10 kilograms of Benteng Bigas Meron Na!

She said on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s birthday, a total of 600 bags of NFA rice, valued at PHP600,000, were sold throughout the region.

In Albay, eight farmer groups received PHP2.73 million in support, which included a cacao nursery project, 144 units of garden tools, 10,000 grafted pili seedlings, 20,000 kilos of organic fertilizer, and 12 stingless bee colonies.

Camarines Norte with 14 farmer groups benefiting from PHP3.99 million in total support from DA Bicol. This included 976 bags of inorganic fertilizer, two cacao nursery projects, 2,500 grafted pili seedlings, and 5,000 bags of organic fertilizer.

Guarin said Camarines Sur received PHP13.15 million in interventions, including PHP7 million designated as Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) for 1,002 rice farmers, who each received PHP7,000. Additionally, PHP6.14 million was distributed to 20 farmer groups, which included 12 stingless bee colonies, 6,000 grafted pili seedlings, 12,000 kilos of organic fertilizer, three units of cacao nursery projects, and one indoor cultivation system valued at PHP2.8 million.

In Catanduanes, 11 farmer groups received PHP2.98 million in support. This assistance included a solar-powered irrigation system, a vermicomposting shed, 12 stingless bee colonies, grass cutters, a vermi tea brewer, a feed pelletizer, and a multi-tilling machine.

Six farmer groups in Masbate received a total of PHP4.68 million in support, which included a combine harvester for corn, two corn husker shellers, a walking-type agricultural tractor, a vermi tea brewer, and a cacao nursery project.

In Sorsogon, the total intervention for two farmer groups, along with Rice Farmers Financial Assistance for 375 rice farmers, amounted to PHP5.43 million.

Over 10,000 copies of materials, which are agricultural reading materials, were distributed. (PNA)