A TOTAL of P219 million under the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance Program (RFFAP) will be released to growers in Nueva Ecija, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced. The RFFAP, a DA program in partnership with the Land Bank of the Philippines, was rolled out Dec. 23, according to a DA statement. During the launch, a P5,000 financial assistance was given to each of the initial 500 farmer beneficiaries from the municipalities of Cuyapo, Guimba, Quezon, Talugtug, and Nampicuan, as well as in the Science City of Muñoz. Another 43,845 farmers would be given the assistance. The RFFAP will cover 33 provinces where rice farmers were affected by the drop in the price palay, or unmilled rice. A P3 billion budget has been allocated for the program, which is an unconditional cash transfer to 600,000 small-scale farmers tilling 1.5 to two hectares. Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said the DA is also looking into giving the same financial assistance to provinces that have helped the government achieve food security. “We will be providing the same grant to other areas as an incentive,” he said. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

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