FULL SUPPORT. Regional Executive Director Arlan Mangelen of the Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region bares that PHP1.38 billion worth of farm inputs have already been distributed to 177,890 farmers in the Caraga Region from the start of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. until May this year. During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas in Butuan City on Tuesday (June 18, 2024), Mangelen says DA-13 has aided some 177,890 during the period. (Screenshot from DA-13 Facebook Page)
BUTUAN CITY – At least 62,740 farmlands in the Caraga Region now have access to major markets following the completion of 108.5 kilometers of farm-to-market roads (FMRs) by the regional Department of Agriculture (DA-13) office under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“The strengthening of the effective logistics system is among the nine-point agenda being advocated by the agency to ensure the sage and fast movements of agricultural commodities in the region,” DA-13 Regional Executive Director Arlan Mangelen said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas here on Tuesday.
Mangelen provided updates on the administration's accomplishments in the areas of expansion and improvement of aid initiatives for farmers, increased production, modernization, and access to government programs and financial institutions.
Under the government's agricultural modernization programs, which include improving the post-harvest system and infrastructure, DA-13 handed over to 119 farmers' groups in the region some PHP263.8 million worth of farm machinery and equipment from July 2022 to May this year.
The agency also completed a separate PHP129.7 million worth of modern production facilities.
“The production support services were also strengthened by the agency in the region to ensure the increase of production among our farmers,” Mangelen said.
In the same period, the agency released PHP1.38 billion worth of seeds, planting materials, fertilizers, and other farm inputs.
At least 177,890 farmers’ associations and cooperatives in the region directly benefited from the agency's production support services. (PNA)
