In her First 100 days Report here on Monday (Oct. 24) held at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium in Amas,Kidapawan City, Governor Emmylou “Lala”Taliño-Mendoza said the provincial government issued Executive Order creating the Provincial Rice Sufficiency Plan (PRSP) ) which aims to pursue comprehensive and innovative mechanisms for the province’s rice farmers to attain efficient rice production.
The main component of PRSP is to digitize farming activities such as provision of agricultural drones for seedsowing, spraying, and fertilization which is seen to lower production cost and improve rice yield.
Mendoza said though the province of Cotabato is the top producer of rice of the entire SOCSARGEN region and even ranked as the 9th highest producer of rice in the entire country with 66,000 rice farmers, rice farmers are still confronted with many challenges such as high cost of farm inputs, inadequate postharvest facilities and low product prices and the present generation’s lack of interest in agriculture. The PRSP aims to address these challenges, she said.
The rice modernization program of the province entails a huge funding requirement. Hence, the provincial government opts to apply a co-investment arrangement by the Department of Agriculture and the province and in collaboration with the 18 LGUs, academe, financing institutions and attached local and national government agencies.
The Philippine Rice Institute had earlier confirmed drone technology helps reduce rice production cost and stay competitive. It also said farmers cannot lower the cost of production unless they mechanize.
Mendoza has identified agricultural productivity and livelihood among her 12-point agenda saying agriculture provides more than food.
She reported that for the first 100days of her administration, the provincial government has provided and assisted the farmers through farm to market roads, subsidized farm inputs, released the budget for animal dispersal, distributed high value crops planting materials, distributed fingerlings and financial assistance through Special Training for Employment Program (STEP). “These interventions helped increase the productivity among our farmers,” she said.
Meanwhile, she also reported that on August 9, 2022, the provincial government received a Plaque ofRecognition from the DA , Region 12 for being the Top Performing LGU having garnered the most number of winners for the Search of Outstanding Youth Agriculture Models Competition under 2022 Young Farmers Challenge Program, Provincial Level. Text and Photos Judy Quiros
Cotabato Provincial Governor Emmylou "Lala" Talino-Mendoza highlights the developments of her administration's 12-point agenda as she delivers her First 100 days Report at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium in Amas, Kidapawan City on Monday (Oct. 24).
Cotabato provincial officials and stakeholders listen as Gov. Emmylou "Lala" Talino Mendoza enumerates achievements of her administration during the first 100 days.
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