THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) has allotted P74 million for Camarines Norte to increase the crop and fishery production and income of farmers and rural folk, a Cabinet official said.

In a statement on Friday, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said of the amount, P60 million will finance the construction and rehabilitation of irrigation projects.

The balance, he said, will assist in the procurement of farm machinery, planting materials, fishing paraphernalia, a potable water system and start-up capital for livelihood projects.

Mr. Alcala made the commitment during his visit to the provincial capital Daet early this month whereby he inaugurated and inspected several agricultural projects and held with about 1,000 stakeholders in the agri-fishery industry and local government officials of the province.

Aside from the total allotment, the department, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Region V, also committed funds for aquasilviculture and seaweed projects, mangrove rehabilitation, the production of mangrove propagules and the establishment of a community multi-purpose fish hatchery.

The department is also set to give an additional P5 million for the repair and improvement of the Alawihao Dam, which serves as the only source of water supply in Daet.

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