TUGUEGARAO CITY — Farmers in the Cagayan Valley generated P3.75 million in sales in the first nine months through government-facilitated sourcing agreements, strengthening links with institutional buyers.
The Region II offices of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and Department of Social Welfare and Development facilitated the deals under the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty program.
Gross sales amounted to P567,165 in the first quarter, P1.29 million in the second and P1.90 million in the third.
The initiative initially linked two irrigators’ associations with the Gonzaga local government to supply the supplementary feeding program in Lasam, Cagayan.
The NIA also offered training in feed pellet production, animal husbandry, microenterprise development, leadership and financial management, while assessing 16 livelihood projects launched in 2023 and 2024 and seeking additional buyers.
NIA Region II Manager Raymundo B. Apil said improved irrigation must go hand in hand with stronger market partnerships to boost farm productivity and incomes. — Artemio A. Dumlao