The Department of Agriculture (DA) will continue to pursue its self sufficiency initiatives in major staples – such as rice, corn and cassava.  Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alacala said that a big chunk of the agency’s 2012 budget of Php 61.73 billion will be spent to implement the Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP), which is the centerpiece program of Aquino Administration.

Under the FSSP, Alcala said that the DA will be frontloading investments, particularly on infrastructure like irrigation, farm-to-market roads and post-harvest facilities.  “We hope to regain momentum in irrigation, especially on cheaper and shorter gestating small-scale irrigation systems,” he added.

For post harvest and other infrastructure, the DA has allocated Php 11.28 billion.  This will be spent to construct drying, storage and processing facilities, including dairy equipment and machineries.

For banner or commodity programs, the DA will spend a total of Php 11.35 billion, broken down as: Php 6.2 billion for rice; Php 951 million for corn; Php 1.3 billion for high-value crops; Php 1 billion for livestock; and Php 1.9 billion for fisheries.

To hasten the transport of farm and fishery products from production areas, the DA in partnership with local government units will construct and rehabilitate more than Php 5 billion worth of farm-to-market roads (FMRs) totaling 1,284 kilometers, under foreign-assisted and locally-funded projects.

In Bohol, interested parties can apply for the various assistance mentioned, and upon completion of requirements, will be served starting CY 2013, on a first come, first served basis.  The following are needed:

1. Letter of Intent / Resolution
2. Endorsement (MAO / Mayor)
3. 15% cash equity of the total unit cost (for farm machinery assistance)
4. In the case of IAs and Pos, they must be registered with COA/DOLE or SEC.

For more details, visit your Municipal Agriculture Office, or the Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center, at Dao District, Tagbilaran City. TL Cañas.