Pilar farmers receive 160 sacks of RC 216 seeds

CAPITOL GROUNDS – Twenty one (21) active members of the Pilar Organic Farming Organization, Inc. (POFOI) yesterday morning received a total of 160 sacks of RC216 rice seeds from the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP).

Present during the simple awarding ceremony was Gov. Albert S. Garcia, Mrs. Imelda Inieto-Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, officers and members of POFOI led by its Chairman Rafael John Paguio,  Reynante Esteban from the Nueva Ecija Seed Growers (supplier of seeds), and other stakeholders.

This undertaking falls under the Investments in Rural Enterprises and Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity (I-REAP) component of the PRDP, a Small Livelihood Project (SLP) that aims to provide sustainable income generating activities to farmers and fishers whose livelihood were affected by typhoon and other calamities.

The PRDP is a 6-year program designed to establish the government platform for a modern, climate smart and market-oriented agri-fishery sector. The PRDP partners with the local government units (LGUs) and the private sector in providing key infrastructure, facilities, technology and information that will raise incomes, productivity and competitiveness in the countryside.

Being one of the provinces that were affected by typhoon Lando in October 2015, Bataan was given the opportunity to submit projects that will provide livelihood to affected farmers and fisherfolks.

Previously, three (3) farmer groups in the province have already received assistance from the abovementioned program:

1.    Binukawan Bicol Marketing Cooperative (Bagac) – a 4 wheel tractor with complete farm implements (Nov. 2017)

2.    Talimundoc Orani Multisectoral Farmers Association – a 4 wheel tractor (July 2017)

3.    Capitangan Organic Farmers Marketing Cooperatives – thresher and mechanical reaper (July 2017)