by: Carla Gomez
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala announced the release of about P46 million in projects and farm equipment to rice farmers of Negros Occidental, and launched a P98.9 million crop insurance program at rites held in Barangay Bagroy, Bago City, yesterday.
He also promised to give the rice farmers a P6 million rice mill, and dryer with operating capital, to be set up in Barangay Bagroy, a liquid nitrogen plant for artificial insemination of livestock, and free aerial spraying of organic micro nutrients on about 1,000 hectares of rice lands in Negros Occidental in October.
Alcala said all these were being done to uplift the lives of farmers and ensure that the Philippines becomes self-sufficient in rice next year, as directed by President Benigno Aquino.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., NIA Administrator Antonio Nangel, Bago Mayor Ramon Torres and PCIC president Jovy Bernabe (l-r) at the launching of the third rice cropping insurance program in Bago City. (Caption and Image were lifted from Visayan Daily Star)