MANILA, Philippines — A non-government organization on Wednesday asked the government to cover the wet season crops with crop insurance, citing threats to incomes of farmers, and the need for the steady production of food during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rice Watch Action Network (R1) made this call after it received reports from farmers in Sorsogon and Leyte lamenting the lack of insurance subsidy in the said provinces. Such reports of limited coverage must be clarified by the Department of Agriculture, according to R1 executive director Hazel Tanchuling. Tanchuling said continuing efficient insurance coverage for farmers, particularly rice farmers, and their agricultural livelihoods protects billions of government investments, especially the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund and the additional Rice Resiliency Fund. “The GAA states that this fund shall be used for the full insurance premiums of subsistence farmers and fisherfolks to cover crops, livestock, fisheries and non-crop agricultural assets.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 08, 2020 02:48 UTC