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By Leilanie G. Adriano (Staff Reporter)
LAOAG CITY—The Ilocos Norte provincial government keeps on inspiring farmers to increase their productivity with the continuing distribution of livelihood assistance such as additional agricultural inputs and equipment to mango, rice and vegetable growers in the province.
Recently, the provincial government distributed a total of 2,749 bags of commercial fertilizers, 23,200 packs of humus, 1,120 carrageenan and foliar fertilizer to registered rice and corn farmers, both in the first and second districts of Ilocos Norte.
For mango and vegetable growers, they likewise received 845 bottles of insecticide and 3,860 vials of fruitfully attractant while other high value crops associations and backyard vegetable growers received 800 units of knapsack sprayer, 30 power sprayer, 525 rolls of irrigation hose, one unit shredding machine, 50 units grass cutter and 40 units of jetmatic pump courtesy of the Sustainable Development Center (SDC) of the Ilocos Norte government.
With the impact of the ongoing pandemic worldwide, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, who led the agri-inputs distribution at the Laoag City Centennial Arena, said, “it brings even more importance to ensure food security in the province because we have only ourselves to rely on.”
At least 40 bags of tilapia fingerlings were also handed to those with small fish farms.
As he pledged support to the farmers, Manotoc expressed gratitude to the farmers for keeping the province food sufficient and for being net producers of food in the country.
“This is a big help to our farmers as these are given for free which lessens their production costs,” said Edwin Cariño, SDC head.
Compared to other provinces which are now experiencing spikes of several agriculture commodities, residents here are blessed with home-grown fruits and vegetables, including fish, meat and poultry products.
“We’re a bit luckier here in the province because we have food available on the table and our Covid-19 cases are significantly lower,” said Dominic dela Cruz, Brgy. San Fernando chairperson in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte.
Like in Brgy. San Fernando and other parts of the province, several barangay officials here are also spearheading a green revolution by setting up their own communal gardens to sustain the community.
Some households particularly those who live in rural areas with vacant lots have their own backyard gardens, where they grow their own food.