He said the money will go a long way in addressing the needs of the farmers and ensure food security, as the province is agriculture-based.
Meanwhile, DA officials were ordered to deliver results, since the agency has been allotted a bigger budget to fund initiatives, sustain farm and fishery productivity and incomes, and attain self-sufficiency in rice and other staples by 2013.
In the second quarter Management Committee meeting in Roxas City, Capiz, last week, Secretary Proceso Alcala said the DA has an approved budget of P61.4 billion, including attached corporations, for 2012 from the P38.58B appropriation last year, a press release from the agency said.
The bulk of the budget is allotted for irrigation at P24.45 billion; commodity banner programs, P11.9 billion; regular and other support programs, P11.5 billion; and farm-to-market roads, P5 billion, the press release also said.
Let us ensure that these initiatives directly benefit small farmers, fisherfolk and other agri-fishery stakeholders, Alcala added in the press release. (www.visayandailystar.com)