Letecia G. Ditucalan, Lanao del Norte Provincial Agricultural Officer is thankful on the releasing of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10’s (DA-10) Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA), considering the initiative a significant agricultural assistance for rice farmers in the province.

Ditucalan pointed out the timeliness of the assistance, noting onset of COVID-19 crisis and its relevance to the farmers in the nearing rice planting season.

“We are thankful to DA-10 for this financial assistance which is a big help for our rice farmers. Through this, our farmers can buy fertilizers and spend it for farm labor since it is almost planting season,” Ditucalan said.

“More significantly, our farmers can buy their daily needs with this assistance while they are under quarantine or lockdown,” Ditucalan added, substantiating the difficulties experienced by Lanao farmers due to COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Ditucalan her office has been in the forefront implementing immediate COVID-19 interventions in the province.

In coordination with DA-10 provincial office in Lanao del Norte, the province distributed various vegetable seeds to the different municipalities in Lanao.

“We encourage the people in the province to plant even in their small backyard. Their vegetable garden can be essential food source in case the quarantine or lockdown will last longer,” Ditucalan asserted.

Meanwhile, DA-10 Field Operations Division, OIC-Chief, Audy G. Maagad said that the distribution of DA-10 RFFA is essential to ease the burden of Lanao rice farmers while facing COVID-19 crisis.

“With this financial assistance released, we are hoping that the farmers can continue with their farm works,” OIC-Chief Maagad averred.

“On top of this financial aid, DA-10 through its Field Operations Division, particularly the Rice Program will continue providing our support to the rice farmers in Lanao del Norte,” the OIC-Chief avowed stating the agency’s long-standing commitment to provide the rice farmers fertilizers and seeds assistance.

OIC-Chief Maagad led the distribution of DA-10 RFFA to 3,719 rice farmers in the 12 municipalities of Lanao del Norte on from April 20-23, 2020.#