SOME 428 farmers in Pontevedra town have received crop insurance claims worth about P1.98 million through the Negros First Universal Crop Insurance Program (NFUCIP).

Fourth District Board Member Jose Benito Alonso, Pontevedra Mayor Jose Maria Alonso and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) Officer-In-Charge Dina Genzola led the distribution to the beneficiaries in the town's gymnasium on Wednesday, January 26, 2022.

The agro-fishery insurance program is a joint initiative between the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) that aims to protect and insure crops of Negrense farmers.

The provincial government regularly provides funds to support the program, which is also aimed at addressing the gaps in the agriculture sector and climate change that have been adversely affecting crop production and threatening the state of food security in the province.

OPA records showed that as of December 31, 2021, some 83,247 farmers with 93,374.84 hectares of farms have been insured.

Of the total farmers enrolled, 45,415 recipients have received indemnity claims amounting to P213,455,715.13, covering 43,367.09 hectares of damaged rice, corn and high-value crops.

Farmers enrolled under NFUCIP are entitled to financial claims for crop damage brought about by natural calamities, pests and diseases infestation aggravated by climate change.

Moreover, the provincial government also distributed 20 sacks of milled rice and high-value crops seeds to farmer-beneficiaries. (PR)