Asenso Rice Farmers Full Assistance program empowers Misamisnon Farmers from land preparation to post-harvest

 

MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL — The Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental, under the leadership of Governor Henry S. Oaminal, has extended full support to 14,018 validated farmers across the province, covering a total of 4,997.37 hectares of farmland.

Through the Asenso Rice Farmers Full Assistance (ARFFA) Program, the province provides farmers with free tractors funded locally, in partnership with PhilMech. Under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Program, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) distributed certified inbred rice seeds to ensure access to high-quality planting materials. To guarantee complete support for every hectare, the provincial government also augmented the fertilizer allocations provided by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

On the post-harvest side, the provincial government buys rice directly from farmers at ₱2 higher per kilo compared to traders’ prices, ensuring fair income for producers. Free rice milling services are likewise offered through the province’s own processing facilities, reducing farmers’ expenses while providing quality rice for consumers.

As a result, rice yield in the province increased from 4.6 metric tons per hectare in 2022 to 5.3 metric tons per hectare under Governor Oaminal’s first term. This boost in productivity has translated into higher incomes for farmers, who now only need to focus on their labor while the province provides all essential inputs and purchases their harvests.

This initiative also supports the national goal of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to lower rice prices and ensure food security. Rice purchased by the province from local farmers is sold directly to Misamisnons at ₱20 per kilo through Kadiwa Centers, sustained through partnerships with the Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI) and the National Food Authority (NFA).