The Department of Agriculture has provided PHP244 million in discount vouchers to 46,612 rice farmers across Caraga Region during the 2024-2025 dry season, regional officials said Wednesday.

The assistance included PHP184.1 million for inorganic fertilizers distributed to all registered farmers, with additional PHP36.4 million for bio-fertilizers and PHP23.7 million for soil supplements given to partial recipients.

Provincial data shows Agusan del Sur had the highest participation with 18,361 farmers served, followed by Surigao del Sur (11,618), while Dinagat Islands had the fewest recipients at 1,429.

DA-Caraga said the agency is currently processing vouchers for the upcoming wet season planting period from June to November.

The voucher program, part of the National Rice Program, allows farmers to purchase approved inputs from accredited suppliers at 50 percent discount.

“Some of the beneficiaries also availed of the bio-fertilizer and soil ameliorant vouchers,” the DA-13 said.

DA-Caraga records indicate 23,040 farmers claimed bio-fertilizer subsidies and 22,209 accessed soil ameliorants during the dry season implementation from September 2024 to March 2025.

Agriculture officials noted the program has helped stabilize fertilizer access since its 2023 launch, with participating farms showing average yield increases of 1.2 metric tons per hectare based on initial assessments. (PNA)