Over 600,000 small rice farmers to get P5,000 cash aid, says DA chief

MANILA, Philippines — Over half a million small rice farmers nationwide will get P5,000 financial subsidy while Luzon remains under an enhanced community quarantine amid threats of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Sunday.

“Our rice farmers will receive it as a direct cash transfer that they can use to buy either farm inputs, food for their families or anything they need,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said in a statement.

Over 600,000 small rice farmers, who plant one hectare or less, in 24 provinces that are not included in the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) program, will benefit from the cash subsidy or Financial Subsidy to Rice Farmers (FSRF).

The P3 billion FSRF is funded under the 2020 General Appropriations Act, according to Dar.

DA, through the Land Bank of the Philippines, will begin the distribution of cash assistance to farmers this week, Dar also said.

KGA

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