BACOLOD City – A farmers group in Negros Occidental plans to sell rice at P25 per kilo despite the challenges posed by the ongoing dry spell.
Pedro Limpangog, president of the Federation of Irrigators Association Central Negros-Bago River Irrigation System (FIA-CN-BRIS), announced plans for another rice selling initiative, noting that approximately 400 individuals recently availed themselves of the P25 per kilo rice in Pulupandan town.
“We will gather our produce, especially during the upcoming harvest next month, and offer rice at a significantly reduced cost to senior citizens, persons with disabilities and less fortunate or indigent residents,” said Limpangog.
Covering approximately 11,000 hectares of rice fields in Central Negros, the FIA-CN-BRIS project plays a crucial role in supporting local agriculture.
Limpangog also said that due to the dry spell, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) – BRIS would implement a water delivery system or scheduled water supply in covered areas.
Farmers are striving to break even in their production efforts, he lamented.
Thanks to the irrigation system, areas under NIA-BRIS coverage remain unaffected by the drought, unlike those in the southern part of the province, the FIA-CN-BRIS president said.
A large number of farmlands in Negros Occidental still heavily rely on rainfall.
Limpangog also emphasized that the FIA-CN-BRIS is monitoring the irrigation system to make sure it is garbage-free.
The NIA-BRIS, for its part, is collaborating closely with villages to monitor and deter residents from carelessly disposing their garbage into irrigation canals. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
