South Leyte LGU sets aside P1.1 million fertilizer subsidy fund for rice farmers

By BONG PEDALINO (PIA Southern Leyte)
July 12, 2008

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte  –  The local government unit (LGU) of Southern Leyte province has set aside over a million pesos from its own coffers to subsidize the fertilizer needs of its rice farmers during this cropping season.

This was learned from Daniel Mayorca, provincial Agriculturist, who disclosed that as of now he has been preparing the guidelines for this LGU-led initiative.

When fully implemented the soonest time possible, the subsidy can go a long way in helping farmers cope up with the high cost of fertilizers now prevailing in the market, which has gone up nearly P2,000 per bag from a slightly over P 1,000 each bag only a couple of months ago.

Mayorca said that while he was in the process of finalizing the guidelines, he was also waiting for a go-signal from Gov. Damian Mercado on which municipalities, in addition to this city, will be listed as priority for distribution.

But as to the number of individual farmers who stand to benefit from this kind of agricultural assistance, Mayorca estimated about 1,500 persons, tilling an average riceland area of one-half hectare per person.

Under such an estimate, some 700 hectares of ricefarms can be developed with input intervention from the province, he added.

The P 1.1 million provincial fertilizer subsidy is open only to rice farmers, Mayorca stressed, apparently in an effort to boost rice production in the province as a way of stemming the tide of skyrocketing prices of the staple food.

Mayorca also said he has been considering integrating the practice of using organic fertilizer even as the subsidy assistance will be ongoing, adding that in fact this has been done by a farmer in Sogod town, so as to make use of farm wastes rather than burning them.

Meanwhile, Mayorca revealed that he has been tasked to make a comprehensive rice development program for the province.