DAR ILOILO BOOSTS THE LIVELIHOOD OF 6 ARBOs THROUGH AN ORGANIC FERTILIZER GRANT

Iloilo – In a proactive initiative to address the impacts of climate change in the agricultural sector, DAR Iloilo distributed P540,000.00 worth of organic foliar fertilizers to six Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in the province of Iloilo, namely Dumangas Agrarian Reform Cooperative, Damires Farmers Marketing Cooperative, Tuburan Abaca Handicraft Association, CAGFAS Agrarian Reform Cooperative, JAGO CARP Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative, and Zarraga Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association. This organic fertilizer grant will benefit 1,850 Ilonggo farmers.

DAR Iloilo also recognizes the challenges posed by climate change; thus, through this initiative, it aligns and contributes to the government's advocacy to implement the practice of organic agriculture (Republic Act No. 10068). This underscores the importance of embracing organic farming as a strategic response to the evolving challenges of our changing climate.

By providing organic fertilizers to farmers, DAR Iloilo aims not only to sustain their livelihoods but also to foster a shift towards organic farming practices that will enhance soil fertility, boost agricultural yields, and raise incomes. The initiative serves as a lifeline for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries' livelihoods and a bold step towards building climate-resilient Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs).

Flora Insolente of Tuburan, President of Tuburan Abaca Handicraft Association (TAHA) from Janiuay, Iloilo, shared sentiments and experiences regarding their current farming situation: "Our experience has been that the prices of fertilizers, such as Urea, were expensive before. A sack of Urea, for instance, used to cost around P3,000, and the seeds were similarly priced. It seemed like almost all imports had increased in price. When the harvest season came, the buying price for palay was low. Because of that, we, as farmers, incurred losses. It felt like we were just battling to farm because we were already at a loss due to the input prices alone." She also expressed gratitude to DAR Iloilo for the support services provided: "Since DAR provided us with organic fertilizers, we hope that this will contribute ecologically and