About 1500 interested farmers and Agricultural Micro Small Medium Enterprises (Agri-MSME’s) from various municipalities in Cotabato province were oriented today at the provincial Gymnasium Amas, Kidapawan City on the various lending programs of the Land Bank of the Philippines.
The whole day caravan included roadshow presentations on Accessible Funds for Delivery to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (AFFORD-ARBs), a direct lending program which will cater the individual agrarian reform beneficiaries engaged in the production of rice, corn and high value crops. The loan under this program can also be used to acquire small farm implements like hand tractor. This is in partnership with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
Aside from AFFORD-ARBs there is also a tie-up socialize credit program of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) under the Sugarcane Industry Development Act (SCP-SIDA) and Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund(ACEF), a lending program for farmers, fishers, cooperatives and associations and micro and small enterprises.
The Farmers and Agri-MSME’s caravan was organized the LBP Lending Division Kidapawan Branch in partnership with the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office XII (DA-RFO XII), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial Office, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) Regional Office XII, Bureau of Internal Revenue- Regional District Office (BIR-RDO), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Provincial Government of Cotabato.
Governor Nancy A. Catamco expressed elation of the response of Cotabateňos to the initiative. She is hopeful that this collaboration with the Land Bank of the Philippines ably paves the way for genuine and sustainable livelihood assistance to poor farmers including Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples.//mdd//
