On July 6, 2022, the Bariga-Magdalo Farmers' Irrigators' Association (BMFIA), Inc. became the first farmers' association in the province of Iloilo to receive the P31 Million Hybrid Cluster Rice Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The BMFIA, a duly organized and registered association with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with 97 active members, was proclaimed the outstanding Farmers' Association on November 6, 2019, during the 4th Farmers Congress in the Municipality of Banate, Province of Iloilo.
The P31M program from the DA includes four projects- Infra Support and other Services, Provision of Free Seeds and Fertilizers for Farm Demo, Provision of Farm Machineries and Multi-purpose Shelter, and Donation for Palay Trading.
This program aims to increase the farmers' and associations' income and reduce dependence on imported rice by providing higher prices of produce in the locality.
IA President, Ms. Beverly Germino expressed her gratitude to the programs and projects from the government granted in their association. "Dako akon pasalamat sa mga programa, proyekto kag suporta nga ginahatag sa amon sang gobyerno, ilabi na sang DA kag NIA", Germino said. She also said that this is one way for the association to grow and generate their income, and at the same time, develop their capacity to sustain the rice production of the province.
According to the Municipal Agriculturist of Banate, Ms. Ma. Luz Ferrer, farmers will be assisted and the technology should follow. "We provide free nga binhi kag abono, including technology, gani buligan ta ini para matin-ad ang ini nga asosasyon", Ferrer said.
Almost 50% of the total 2, 749.66 hectares of the municipality of Banate is irrigated by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). Engr. Randy C. Alipis, Division Manager A of the NIA- Iloilo-Guimaras Irrigation Management Office congratulated the members of BMFIA as the chosen beneficiary of the program from DA, on which NIA is the attached agency. "The government provides projects to the associations who are capable of serving efficiently to the farmer members," said Engr. Alipis. "Buhaton ang responsibilidad nga tipigan kag halungan ang proyekto nga ginhatag sang gobyerno para sa pagdako ka asosasyon".
The DA Regional Office, represented by Mr. Reynol Dequino, Regional Rice Program Reporter, said that the province of Iloilo was in the top three in rice production in the nation. However, it failed to include the Top Ten (10) in yield. "But through these established farm machinery, farming needs, and irrigation, we were looking forward to the potential 5% increase in production of the farmers in the municipality," Dequino said.
The Local Government of Banate, Mayor Peter Paul Gonzales expressed his gratitude to the DA and the NIA for their continued support to the farmers of the municipality and committed to being with them in assisting their needs.
Also present during the event was Engr. Israel Mayos, Focal Person on Farm Mechanization, the Local Government Unit of Banate headed by their Municipal Mayor, Hon. Peter Paul Gonzales, the Barangay Officials of Bariga led by their Punong Barangay Hon. Norberto Anildes and the newly elected officers and members of the BMFIA.- ANN #TuloyAngDaloyNIA
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