The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) has launched “Agri ka Dito,” a flagship program of the Office of the Governor that aims to sustain the activities for the livelihood of community farmers and fisherfolks by providing them with immediate assistance in the midst of the skyrocketing cost of agriculture inputs.
With hotlines operated by PGIN’s Provincial Agriculture Office and the Sustainable Development Center, Ilokano farmers and fisherfolks may request crop assistance in the form of inputs, marketing, and transportation; irrigation such as reservoirs, dams, and water impounding systems; provision of livestock and related services; fingerlings and fishery paraphernalia; and insurance.
While PGIN has already poured in at least Php 2 billion into the province’s agriculture from July 2019 to January 2022, Governor Matthew J. Marcos Manotoc has pledged greater support for the stakeholders of the agriculture sector, recognizing their key role in hastening the recovery of this Ilocos Norte economic powerhouse, saying:
“Sa mga mannalon (farmers) po natin, we assure you of full-service assistance, from pre-planting to marketing, to produce more through technology and mechanization, and improve our irrigation.
Sa mga fisherfolk at livestock growers po natin, we pledge more support than ever.”
He also iterated PGIN’s thrust to assist farmers in their shift to high-value crops such as garlic, mango, dragon fruit, shallots, onions, and tobacco, which are now more marketable than palay. Additionally, Gov. Marcos Manotoc also laid out his plans to prioritize product-processing and agri-business to capture more stages of the value chain.
“Naniniwala po tayo na ang pinakamabisang tulong ay mga programa na susuporta sa kabuhayan, titiyakin na may magandang ani, at magbibigay ng sapat na kita,” he continued.
On July 19, PGIN had already distributed seeds, fertilizers, crates, sprayers, and fishing nets, among others, to the first batch of beneficiaries. It was attended by the members of the Provincial Board, headed by Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, who lauded the program’s accessibility to beneficiaries, describing it as “one text away.”
To avail of the services of the “Agri ka Dito,” please contact 09164419914 or 09692905489, or agrikadito.in@gmail.com. You may also visit the Provincial Agriculture Office at Brgy. 2 Laoag City or the Sustainable Development Center at the Provincial Capitol.－Edison Justin B. Deus, PGIN-CMO
