CONVERGE earmarks P642.6-M for rubber production in
Zambo Norte
By Mary May A. Abellon
DIPOLOG
CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA) – The Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement for Rural
Growth and Empowerment (CONVERGE) has allocated the amount
of P642.6 million for rubber productionin Zamboanga del Norte through the Department
of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
Recipients
of this project include the municipalities of Godod, Tampilisan, Leon Postigo, and Salug which will benefit4,200
Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in the province.
The project aims to reduce
rural poverty by enabling smallholder farmers to engage in value chains so that
they can increase the profitability of their household farm enterprises based
on commodities such as rubber, rice, abaca, sugar cane, cassava, coconut,
and coffee.
Moreover, it is intended to
promote
sustainable agriculture, preserve the land resource base, improve the
investment climate for agribusinesses and initiate climate change adaptation
and mitigation measures.
It is funded
by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) with an amount of
P2.2 billion for regions 9, 10 and CARAGA in Mindanao, wherein P1.02 billion of
which will be implemented in the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del
Norte, and Zamboanga Sibugay.
Meanwhile,the
municipalities of Kabasalan, Naga, Ipil, R.T. Lim, Tungawan, and Titay in
Zamboanga Sibugay will receive P247.2 million worth of rubber projects.
On the other
hand, P136.6 million will be implemented in the towns of Aurora, Dumingag,
Josefina, Mahayag, Molave, Ramon Magsaysay and Tambulig in Zamboanga del Sur.
The amount could be
used in the construction of post-harvest facilities, improvement of rural
infrastructures, production and marketing of products, capability building, and
procurement of farm equipment.
