At least 6,928 rice farmers covering 8,777 hectares of rice fields in Davao de Oro benefitted from the PHP35 million worth of fertilizer discount vouchers (FDV) distributed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in the province from Aug. 17 to 30.

In a statement Thursday, the provincial government said the distribution forms part of the government’s continuing effort to help boost the agriculture sector in the area.

The FDV beneficiaries included rice farmers from the towns of Nabunturan, Montevista, New Bataan, Mawab, Laak, Maco, and Compostela.

Eligible recipients of the program include farmers who are registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), and who have planted palay during the wet season of 2023.

Farmers who have received inbred and hybrid seeds from the DA, as well as those who have purchased their seeds, are also qualified to benefit from the program.

“The discount vouchers are for one-time use only and are claimed by any accredited fertilizer merchant in the preferred area of the farmer-beneficiaries,” DA said.

It said a series of FDV distribution schedules are also set for the towns of Maragusan, Pantukan, and Monkayo, starting September.

Jerry Aventurado, an FDV beneficiary from Barangay Basak, Nabunturan, said the voucher was a great help in buying a sufficient volume of urea fertilizer recommended for their rice fields.

“We are thankful for the assistance because the prices of fertilizer nowadays are very high,” he said. (PNA)