Another batch of farm machineries, agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and hybrid seeds, including 30 heads of piglets and 30 bags of hog feeds, was distributed to farmers, fisherfolk and livestock raisers at the Provincial Agriculture Compound in this city on Friday.

Funds for the agricultural implements worth PHP20.9 million were sourced from the Ilocos Norte government fund, mostly from its share in tobacco excise tax.

“Today’s beneficiaries include 24 farmers associations in the second district of Ilocos Norte such as in Batac City, Badoc, Banna, Paoay, San Nicolas, Solsona, Nueva Era, Pinili, Dingras and Marcos, including seven cooperatives in the entire province,” said Luz Ortal, head of the Sustainable Development Council (SDC) under the Ilocos Norte government, in an interview Friday.

Ortal said the continuing distribution of agricultural assistance is meant to improve the lives of farmers.

“The Ilocos Norte government through our governor provide these agri-inputs in response to an ongoing crisis,” she said, adding that their office continues to receive requests both from individual farmers and associations which they collect and validate with the municipal governments prior to mass distribution.

Eligible farmers from the province may walk in at the SDC or at the Provincial Agriculture Office for assistance.

Aside from the distribution of various agricultural inputs, Ortal said the provincial government has also created small farm reservoirs to ensure enough water supply and established of cold storage facilities and trading centers. (PNA)