The Department of Agriculture-Cordillera (DA-CAR) continues to assist the heavily affected farmers during the Super Typhoon (STY) Egay which hit the country, particularly Northern Luzon, in July 2023. This is part of the agency’s rehabilitation and recovery program through the Bufferstock Program and Quick Response Fund (QRF).

On February 21-22, 2024, the last phase of rehabilitation program assistance distribution for the STY Egay-heavily affected farmers was conducted in Kabugao, Apayao. A total of 1,062 bags of hybrid corn seeds were distributed to 1,047 corn farmers during an activity in the municipal gymnasium in Poblacion, Kabugao, Apayao. The corn seeds amounting to a total of Php5,236,165 were composed of five varieties namely – NK6410, NK8840, Healer 101, Healer 102, and CW-1777, in consideration of the preferred varieties of the farmers. The assistance, intended for the corn farmers who incurred totally damaged areas due to the super typhoon, was funded under the FY2023 Seed Reserve and QRF.
Province-wide, the DA-CAR Corn Program’s Report showed that Apayao recorded 4,938 hectares of totally damaged corn areas due to STY Egay. These were located in the municipalities of Calanasan, Luna, Pudtol, Sta. Marcela, Flora, and Kabugao. The other municipalities have already received their rehabilitation and recovery program assistance in the form of various hybrid corn seeds since October last year. Overall, the province received 9,876 bags of seeds worth Php49.17 Million which benefitted 3,906 corn farmers.

The distribution activities were facilitated by the DA-CAR Corn Program in coordination with the partner local government units.// Janice B. Agrifino (Photos courtesy of Corn Program)