Tobacco farmers get P20-M aid for palay crop cultivation

BANGUED, Abra --- National Tobacco Administration chief Edgardo D. Zaragoza has distributed P20 million to thousands of tobacco farmers as capital for their palay crop cultivation in order to provide them with alternative sources of livelihood during the lean months of tobacco production.

A total of 1,484 tobacco farmers from the provinces of Abra, La Union, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and Mindoro who are ready to plant palay in around 1,242 hectares benefited from the soft loan program of the NTA which is geared towards enhancing the productivity of farmers not only on tobacco production but also in terms of rice production.

Under the program, NTA provides a loan of P18, 000 per hectare per farmer who plants palay, and P30,000 to P40,000 per farmer per hectare for those who plant tobacco which is substantial in allowing the farmers to be able to produce the crops that will be in time for the harvest season where the prices of the crops are at high levels.

In consultations with the tobacco farmers and technicians in different tobacco producing provinces, Zaragoza said the NTA is ready to provide P200 million in the form of production assistance at very low interest rate to the tobacco farmers in their tobacco cultivation.

The past years, only about P3.5 million was given by the NTA to the tobacco farmers in the form of loans in eight tobacco growing provinces. The amount was increased to P34 million during this year, but the amount is not enough to defray the cost of production for the tobacco farming.

Dr. Roberto R. Bonoan, NTA deputy administrator for operations said that the financial assistance to the tobacco farmers had greatly increased this year by 177 percent compared to the past years when only about R7.6 million was given.

The number of tobacco farmers who planted tobacco also increased this year by 79 percent and area planted to tobacco likewise increased by 80.73 percent.

Zaragoza expressed optimism that with the integration of both agricultural programs such as the tobacco production during the dry season, and the palay production during the wet season, the rice self-sufficiency program of the Department of Agriculture will succeed before the end of 2013.

While acknowledging the cooperation of the tobacco farmers and their sense of responsibility in the repayment of their loans amortizations, Zaragoza assured the farmers of the support of the big-time tobacco leaf buyers like the PMFTC, Universal Leaf Phil., Inc., Trans-Manila, Inc., Continental Leaf and the Associated Anglo American Tobacco Corporation for their con-tinuing cooperation and support to the farmers through their support programs.

“We recognize the tobacco farmers because of their good attitude particularly in their willingness to pay, and it is just fitting and proper that we give back our trust and respect to these farmers,” he said.

In another development, the tourist town of Kabayan in Benguet has enhanced the production of “tudoy,” the local version of native rice with the institutionalization of a subsidy for its production in order to sustain its existence for the benefit of the present and future generations.

“Tudoy” is a type of kintoman rice having a peculiar taste and aroma compared to other rice varieties planted in the town which could also land in the world market once given a break through the appropriate linkages with government agencies and non-government organizations helping promote the marketability of native rice.

Municipal Ordinance No. 47-11 subsidizes the production of “tudoy,” which is necessary in saving the variety and enhancing its production in the locality in order for it to be sufficiently promoted to the global village without necessarily sacrificing its mode of production of quality.

Called Kintoman Rice Subsidy Ordinance, it mandates the Kabayan LGU to appropriate initial amount of R50,000 for the first year of implementation so that native rice farmers will be able to advance their production to serve as living examples for other farmers.

To be dispensed by the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist, the amount will be used to subsidize rice farmers in a certain barangay in the form of rice seeds and other inputs depending upon the assessment of the OMAG.