OVER 29,000 rice farmers in Davao Region were given a subsidy of P5,000 this year, according to the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (Da-Davao) on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.

Based on the 2022 data from DA-Davao, a total of 29,281 farmers were given the P5,000 subsidy under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund - Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA).

For 2021, a total 25,789 farmers were given the same assistance also worth P5,000.

Within those two years, the number of beneficiaries from each of the provinces in the region increased. Davao del Norte had the most number of beneficiaries in 2021 with 10,614 farmers, followed by Davao del Sur with 5,492, Davao de Oro with 5,286, and Davao Oriental with 4,397.

In 2022, Davao del Norte had 11,035 beneficiaries, followed by Davao del Sur with 6,500 farmers, Davao de Oro with 5,679, Davao Oriental with 5,249, Davao Occidental with 434, and Davao City with 384 farmers.

According to Evelyn Basa, the regional rice focal of DA-Davao, the farmer-beneficiaries entitled to the subsidy are only those with a land holding of two hectares and below and are registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) of the DA.

She added that the two assistance were provided in cash.

The budget given to the DA to provide the financial assistance was P150,797,150 this year and P130,750,230 last year.

DA-Davao regional technical director Marila Corpuz said another subsidy will be given next year.

“For 2023 nga akong gi-mention na with a budget of P432 million plus, mao ra gihapon ang requirements pero nitaas na siya. P6,500 na siya per farmer (For 2023, we have a budget of more than P432 million. The requirements are the same but each farmer will receive P6,500),” Corpuz said. ICM