The Province of Cotabato is eyeing to achieve food sufficiency and security through the Rice Revolution Program-Diversified Convergence Approach (RRP-DCA), a provincial initiative that is included in the concept of 3Cs – convergence, collaboration, and cooperation.
Under the program, the provincial government and local government will collaborate in providing fertilizers to the farmers to increase their production, yield and income.
According to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg), the RRP has two schemes, the Conventional Scheme where six bags of fertilizer will come from the capitol, local government, and DA; and the Diversified Approach wherein if the local government does not have appropriate funds allocated, the DA and the provincial government will still provide two sacks of fertilizer to each farmer and the additional two sacks to complete the fertilizer required for one hectare of farm that will be filled by the beneficiary farmer.
Boosting farmers’ production and income is among the priority programs of Cotabato Governor Emmylou T. Mendoza.
Mendoza said apart from the Rice Convergence Approach, other programs implemented by the capitol to help the farmers of the province includes the purchase of the local farmers’ rice which is now being distributed in the ongoing year-end relief, and the Rice Marketing Assistance Program for Legislators and Local Government Unit (PALLGU).
“The life of our farmers will reflect the strength in our province. The “Serbsiyong Totoo” launched programs to raise morale and support for our farmers,” Mendoza said.
Meanwhile, Department of Agriculture 12 (DA 12) Regional Executive Director Roberto Perales lauded the agricultural programs implemented by the province.
“Umaasa ako na ang naturang inisyatiba ay gagayahin din ng iba pang mga lokalidad sa rehiyon at ang DA ay nangakong tutulong sa pagpapatupad ng isang enhanced rice production and marketing scheme para sa Cotabato Rice Farmers. Nagpasalamat din ako sa suporta ni Gov. Mendoza sa lahat ng programang isinusulong ng DA,” Perales said.
