By Mike U. Crismundo
BUTUAN CITY – The Agusan del Norte government has released P180 million to fund the local abaca industry here through Project ConVERGE or Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Development.
Joie L. Ceballos, regional spokesperson of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), on Friday said the money will benefit the San Isidro Upland Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SIUFMULCO) and 20 other Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) in the municipalities of Tubay, Jabonga, Kitcharao and Santiago, all in Agusan del Norte.
DAR Agusan del Norte director Andre Atega said Project ConVERGE was made possible with the help of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Another IFAD project in Agusan del Norte is the FishCORAL (Fisheries, Coastal Resources and Livelihood) implemented by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in coastal communities around Butuan Bay amounting to P80 million.
