DBM OKs release of P50M for farmers, fisherfolk dev't program

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Tuesday said it has approved the release of P50 million worth of funds to implement an enterprise development program for farmers and fisherfolk.

In a statement, the DBM said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved the issuance of a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) and the Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) amounting to P50 million to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The amount, she said, will cover the requirements for the implementation of Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program under Republic Act 11321 or the “Sagip Saka Act,” funded under the Fiscal Year 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Under the Sagip Saka law, the DA is directed to pursue a “complete approach” in enterprise development initiatives to further strengthen an entrepreneurship culture among farmers and fisherfolk.

The initiatives led to the formation of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program, according to the DBM.

The DBM also said the program has three focus areas with corresponding desired outcomes:

• Inclusive Agribusiness Development to help farmers and fisherfolk become viable business partners with agro-industry players
• Agripreneurship Capability Enhancement which aims to improve access to capacity-enhancing support services in, for instance, finance, training, technology
• Enterprise Development Services to strengthen the agri-fishery enterprise development services of the DA

“Food security will remain a government priority. Increased funding will be provided for the Department of Agriculture’s major programs… Alongside the development of land-based agri-industries, the government shall also spur the growth of aquaculture,” said Pangandaman. —Ted Cordero/KBK, GMA Integrated News