The Department of Agriculture in Ilocos Region called on farmers on Wednesday to have their names listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) to be able to avail of various agricultural programs from the government.

“To ensure that you will get assistance from the government, you must be registered in the RSBSA,” said Doris Joy Garcia, regional technical director for operations of the DA, during her speech at the regional “Dagyaw” open government town hall meeting at the Provincial Farmers Livelihood Center in Vigan City.

Nearly 1,000 participants attended the event where government efforts to help farmers and fisherfolk boost their productivity for a food and nutrition-secure Philippines were discussed.

In her speech, Garcia discussed the DA’s programs and strategies to address various concerns on agriculture and food security.

The array of government assistance includes agricultural loans, crops and livestock insurance, provision of seeds, fertilizers, farm inputs, technical assistance, soil analysis, and issuance of livestock and poultry travel certification among others.

With a funding of PHP39.2 million this year, the DA is on the process of updating its RSBSA to provide the government with a reliable source of data and information regarding the agri-fishery stakeholders through the farmers and fisherfolk registry system which will be used as basis in the implementation of various DA intervention programs, formulation and evaluation of policies.

Part of the program also includes the profiling of eligible farmers and fisherfolk as well as geo-referencing of farm parcels.

The DA targets to have 390,000 farmers registered in the RSBSA. So far, the DA in Ilocos has already enlisted a total of 384,136 farmers.

Most of the registrants are from Pangasinan with 169,771 farmers, followed by Ilocos Sur with 77,221 farmers, Ilocos Norte with 75,731 farmers, and La Union with 61,374 farmers.

The RSBSA is an electronic compilation of basic information on farmers, and farm laborers engaged in animal and crop production giving them access to agriculture-related programs, services and other interventions from the government.

So far, 3,097,459 farmers have registered in the RSBSA nationwide out of the 7,779,891 national target. DA records show that the Ilocos Region has almost filled up its five percent share in the national target.

According to the DA, those eligible to register should secure and accomplish an RSBSA enrolment form that can be acquired from the local Municipal Agriculture Office or the DA – Regional Field Office, with a photocopy of any valid government identification card, proof of land ownership for farm owners, and proof of agreement for lessees.

The farmer’s photo, biometrics, and signature will be taken upon registration. Enrollees will then receive a stub with the RSBSA number as proof of registration. (PNA)