MANILA – The PHP21.6 Million worth of farm-to-market road turned over by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to Isabela rice farmers is expected to promote growth in the agricultural sector in the province.
In a press release on Wednesday, DAR said the newly rehabilitated farm-to-market roads would boost the livelihood activities of agrarian reform beneficiaries, organizations, and farmers in Isabela in general.
Isabela is the second-highest producer of rice in the country, next to Nueva Ecija, and the top corn-producing province.
“With improved infrastructure, better access to markets and reduced transportation costs would boost productivity and enhance the overall rice community,” DAR Cagayan Valley Regional Director Primo Lara said.
The infrastructure project, implemented under the Sustainable and Resilient Agrarian Reform Communities (SuRe ARCs) Project, includes PHP8,837,829.73 allocated for Barangay Diamantina in the municipality of Aurora, and PHP12,768,072.78 for Barangay Rang-ay in Cabatuan.
DAR said the agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) of Diamantina Samahanang Nayon Credit Cooperative and the ALMADAYRIT Cabatuan Agriculture Cooperative, are the proponents of the projects.
Lara said the rehabilitated roads in Cabatuan signal the progress of the town’s agrarian communities.
“With these rehabilitated roads, the farming communities of Cabatuan move toward a more resilient and sustainable future, strengthened by enhanced access to vital markets,” he said. (PNA)