Carrascal: The Department of Agriculture in Caraga Region (DA-13) is distributing fertilizers to 268 rice farmers in the municipality of Carrascal, Surigao del Sur. This initiative aims to enhance rice productivity across several key barangays in the area.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DA-13 delivered a total of 980 bags of fertilizer, comprised of 490 bags of complete fertilizer and 490 bags of ammonium sulphate, to the farmers on Tuesday. The assistance targets rice-producing barangays, including Adlay, Gamuton, Bacolod, Panikian, and Tag-anito. In a statement released on Wednesday, DA-13 highlighted the initiative’s focus on boosting rice productivity, enriching soil fertility, and strengthening the resilience of local farmers.

Farmer Marilyn Sugian from Barangay Panikian, one of the recipients of the aid, expressed her gratitude and shared her plans for the fertilizers. “I received one sack and 25 kilos of complete fertilizer and another one sack and 25 kilos of sulfate,” Sugian stated on Wednesday. She mentioned that land preparation is currently underway, and the fertilizers will be applied during the planting period, scheduled from the last week of November to the first week of December.

Sugian also noted that the government’s support, through the DA, is a significant help to the farmers. She estimated that recipients could save more than PHP2,000 in expenses due to the provision of free fertilizers.