“Agri ka Dito” boosts farmers’ role in Ilocos Norte’s recovery

By Edison Justin B. Deus

LAOAG CITY -- The provincial government of Ilocos Norte has launched "Agri ka Dito," a flagship program of the Office of the Governor to boost livelihood of community farmers and fisherfolk by providing them immediate assistance in the midst of high cost of agriculture inputs.
    With hotlines operated by Provincial Agriculture Office and Sustainable Development Center, farmers and fisherfolks may request crop assistance in the form of inputs, marketing, and transportation, irrigation such as reservoirs, dams and water impounding systems, livestock and related services, fingerlings and fishery paraphernalia and insurance.
    While the provincial government allotted some P2 billion into the province’s agriculture programs from July 2019 to January 2022, Gov. Matthew J. Marcos Manotoc pledged greater support for stakeholders of the agriculture sector, saying he recognized their key role in hastening recovery of this Ilocos Norte economic powerhouse.
    “Sa mga mannalon (farmers) po natin, we assure you of full-service assistance, from pre-planting to marketing, to produce more through technology and mechanization, and improve our irrigation.
    Sa mga fisherfolk at livestock growers po natin, we pledge more support than ever,” he said.
    He added it was the provincial government’s thrust to assist farmers in their shift to high-value crops such as garlic, mango, dragon fruit, shallots, onions, and tobacco, which are now more marketable than palay.
Gov. Marcos Manotoc also laid out his plans to prioritize product-processing and agri-business to capture more stages of the value chain.
    “Naniniwala po tayo na ang pinakamabisang tulong ay mga programa na susuporta sa kabuhayan, titiyakin na may magandang ani, at magbibigay ng sapat na kita,” he said.
    On July 19, the provincial government distributed seeds, fertilizers, crates, sprayers, and fishing nets, among others to the first batch of beneficiaries.
    It was attended by the members of the Provincial Board, headed by Vice Gov. Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, who lauded the program’s accessibility to beneficiaries, describing it as “one text away.”
    To avail of the services of the “Agri ka Dito,” contact 09164419914 or 09692905489, or agrikadito.in@gmail.com.
    You may also visit the Provincial Agriculture Office at Barangay 2 Laoag City or the Sustainable Development Center at the Provincial Capitol.