MikeLigalig.com

by Bohol Chronicle

Marcela Farms of the Alturas Group pioneers the Public-Private Partnership program in the province with the implementation of the “Plant Hybrid Rice and Fertilize Now Pay Later” project.

Rep. Erico Aumentado (2nd district), initiator of the project, said it takes the lead of PPP projects coming in the province.

The plant and fertilize now pay later, with Marcela Farm, Inc. as the private partner, will be implemented without any subsidy from the national government for the rice seeds and fertilizer.

Marlito Uy, president of Alturas Group of Companies, representing Marcela Farms signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on the implementation of the project with 24 irrigators associations (IAs) represented by their presidents, Land Bank of the Philippines represented by Regional Head Ruel Romarate,

National Irrigation Administration represented by Regional Manager Modesto Membreve, Department of Agriculture represented by Bohol Agricultural Promotions Center Manager Eugene Cahiles for Regional Executive Director Leo Cañeda, and Aumentado.

In the project, rice farmers can avail of a supervised loan of up to P30,000 with LBP that would be released through the IAs they belong in the form of farm inputs.

Since its signing on September 26, 2011 at the Bohol Tropics, the MOA stays effective for a period of three years or equivalent to six croppings.

With the use of hybrid rice seeds, the program can raise the harvest of farmers from 2.5 tons or 50-60 cavans per hectare to five to 11 tons or 100-226 cavans per hectare.

Membreve said the program will solve the usual woes of farmers lack of funds to buy seeds, non-availability of seeds on the time they are needed, lack of finances to purchase chemicals to rid of the pests.

In the “Plant Hybrid Rice and Fertilize Now Pay Later program”, Marcela Farms will purchase 80 percent of all their produce, while NIA and Aumentado will provide farm facilities and DA will provide technical assistance through the BAPC.

This is in consideration that Marcela Farms, Inc. needs hybrid rice grains and is willing to buy all grains from the IAs subject to standards.

Marcela Farms is willing to supply locally available agricultural inputs to concerned farmers through their IAs based on the approved farm plan and budget as recommended by the DA.

The rice farmers who are members of the 24 IAs who are willing to participate in the program will serve as producers of quality hybrid rice and will supply the raw material need of Marcela Farms.

The LBP will provide the funding needed to implement the project subject to the standard terms and conditions and other provisions necessary.

NIA has committed to assist the farmer-irrigator-members of the irrigators associations as well as the other parties involved in the program for the implementation of project.

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