MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (DA-PCIC) has partnered with the provincial government of Davao del Norte to provide crop protection to its farmers.
In a report to Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, PCIC president Jovy C. Bernabe said the agency recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Davao del Norter Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario for the provision of crop insurance to 1,000 farmers cultivating 2,000 hectares of rice.
The provincial government has allotted an initial P1.34 million as its premium contribution for the crop insurance.
Under the agreement between the DA-PCIC and DDN, more rice cultivation areas as well as non-rice areas in the province would be placed under crop insurance coverage in the future.
The province has dedicated a total of 15,200 hectares for rice cultivation during the wet and dry seasons.
Aside from growing industrial crops. Davao del Norte farmers are also engaged in livestock raising and aquaculture production.
As part of the agreement, the PCIC will train provincial agricultural officers on agricultural insurance underwriting and claims adjustments.
It also conduct an information campaign on the crop insurance program.
The agreement also provides that the provicial government of Davao del Norter shall allocate funds for the cost of insurance premium and provide technical assistance and training to city and municipal agricultural officers and technicians.