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.