TAGBILARAN CITY (PIA) –We may not know it, but the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached bureaus has put in Bohol in the last two cropping, some P468 million in agriculture and fisheries as well as in making sure that farmers can get their farms ready for another cropping season, after a long drought.
Through its Regional Field Office, the DA has channeled to Bohol a total of P6.9 million for its Corn Program, comprising of 2 4WD 90 horsepower tractors valued at P5 million, P2.76 million corn seeds in 1000 bags enough for 1000 hectares of corn farms, as well as P3.22 million of fertilizers for distribution to 38 corn farmers associations.
For its Rice Program, with the three months of drought cracking farms, wilting forage grasses and threatening to dry up dams, the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) drew out a P5.017 million funds from its National Rice Program Production Support Services for 50 hour-flights of cloud seeding operations, targeting to replenish by induced rains at least 4 major dams in Bohol.
For the 2024 wet cropping season, the DA allotted P42.4 million comprising the 50,724 bags of certified seeds to 31,696 farmer beneficiaries for planting in 12,688 hectares these beneficiaries cultivated.
In the 2025 dry cropping season, the DA again set aside P23 million worth of certified rice seeds for 16,142 farmer beneficiaries tilling 12,688 hectares.
The department also readies P150 million worth of hybrid seeds set for 30,000 hectares of farms here. This is also coupled with P208 million worth of fertilizer discount vouchers for 61,354 hectares benefitting an estimated 61,354 farmers.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coconut Authority, which shelters under the DA also funded the P3.6 million sustainable replanting and planting of local coconut cultivars, P1.8 million coconut fertilization project and another P49 million coconut hybridization program.
For the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, which also shelters under the DA, Bohol Fishery Officer Candido Samijon said they put in two multi-purpose seaweed dryers at 321K, 10 fish processing project funds amounting to P848K and three development projects on Salt improvement worth 700k.
For BFAR support to fishery regulations, the government funds 5 fish sanctuary rehabilitation projects worth P410K.
In aquaculture, BFAR has set distribution activities of 98 fiberglass boats: 66 16-footer boats at P1.8 million, 30 20-footer fiberglass boats at P2.1 million
It also funded 2 units of 26 footer hauler boats at P311K, 31 fish aggregating devices at P927K, 200 units of multiple handlines at P.5 million, 3 units of 4k boat engines at P49K, 39 units of 7K boat engines valued at P600K, 24 units of drift nets at P.522 million, 4 units of fish pots at P50K and one lambaklad at P2.6 million, data from the DA bared.
The DA performed ceremonial turn-over ceremonies of its assistance in time when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., came to Bohol to bring in P50 million worth of Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk and Families, June 28.
That same day, rains which the farmers have been praying for, poured in two large dousing. (PIABohol)
