Corn farmers get gov’t aid

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — The city government is assisting 622 corn farmers ahead of the anticipated effects of Super El Niño, distributing hybrid seeds and fertilizers while preparing additional irrigation facilities to protect crops from prolonged dry conditions.

The farm inputs were distributed through the Department of Agriculture and the City Agriculture Office at the Tuguegarao City Integrated Demo-Farm and Training Center. The assistance is expected to reduce farmers’ production costs and allow them to use their resources for other farm needs.

Corn farmer Adelina Langcay of Barangay Capatan said the seeds and fertilizers would ease the financial burden on growers.

Mayor Maila Ting-Que said the city was also preparing measures to address possible water shortages. Four solar-powered irrigation pumps are planned for Gosi Norte, Namabbalan Norte, Carig Norte and Libag Sur to improve water access for agricultural land.

The city also plans to distribute 14 pump-and-engine units to 14 barangays to provide additional irrigation support.

Ting-Que said she was coordinating with national government agencies to secure further assistance and expand the number of farmers covered by government programs.

The city has also received P1 million in assistance from the office of Senator Kiko Pangilinan for farmers. Officials are still determining how the funds will be distributed and identifying eligible beneficiaries.

Engr. Walter Pascua, the City Agriculture Office’s corn coordinator, said agricultural support programs would continue amid concerns about the effects of Super El Niño. The distribution was led by the City Agriculture Office under acting city agriculturist Engr. Anthony Requimin, with Executive Assistant Grace Arago also attending.