One hundred corn farmers receive P5K each from DA-NorMin under its CFSMFF program as financial aid to cope with COVID-19 effects.

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – One hundred corn farmers in Cagayan de Oro City received P5,000 each worth of cash and food subsidy from the Department of Agriculture -10 on Thursday, March 25 in barangay Lumbia, this city.

DA-10 Regional Executive Carlene C. Collado explained, the Cash and Food Subsidy for Marginal Farmers and Fishers Program (CFSMFF) funded under the Bayanihan II aims to provide financial aid to farmers and fishers during this pandemic.

Qualified corn farmers were listed under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), with one hectare and below landholding.

Said event marks the second round of distribution for the city with farmer-beneficiaries from barangays Bayanga, Besigan, Cugman, Pagalungan, Taglimao, Tagpangi, and Tumpagon as its recipients.

Some farmers received their vouchers earlier that day, during a ceremony led by DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness and Marketing Kristine Y. Evangelista together with DA-10 RED Collado, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, CdeO Mayor Oscar S. Moreno and some local officials.

“The financial aid is a big help for us, especially during this time since we have experienced difficulties in planting and have encountered pests in our plants. For that, we are thankful to DA since it will help us with our daily needs,” shared Marites E. Saclad, a farmer from Malasag, Cugman, CdeO.

Meanwhile, committee chair on agriculture Jay Roa Pascual stated, the intervention is very timely as the COVID-19 health crisis has affected the livelihood of farmers, especially those from the hinterland areas.

Cagayan de Oro City has a total corn area of 1,322 hectares with 1,456 total corn farmers.

For the year 2020, the city has an average production of 3.641 metric tons per hectare for white corn and 4.85 MT/ha for yellow corn. # (AMBManto)