TARLAC CITY (PIA) – About 1,000 farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Tarlac gained access to affordable financing through the 14th regional rollout of the LANDBANK Agrisenso Plus Lending Program, which aims to boost agricultural productivity and increase farmers’ income.
The initiative complements the government’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport Program, which aims to mitigate the effects of the Middle East crisis.
LANDBANK National Development Lending Sector Executive Vice President Charlotte Conde said the program provides low-cost credit assistance as part of the bank’s commitment to strengthening the agriculture sector.
“Sa ilalim ng programang ito, mas pinababa namin ang interest rate upang mas maging abot-kaya ang puhunan para sa ating mga magsasaka, mangingisda, at agrarian reform beneficiaries (Under this program, we lowered the interest rate to provide more affordable capital for our farmers, fisherfolk, and agrarian reform beneficiaries),” she said.
The AgriSenso Plus Lending Program offers a fixed interest rate of three percent per annum and requires no collateral for production loans, supporting farm production, modernization, and business expansion across the agricultural sector.
To make the program more accessible, LANDBANK simplified the loan application process by consolidating requirements into a single-page form.
Farmers, however, must first be registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture.
Conde noted that the program provides farmers and fisherfolk a more affordable option compared to informal lenders and other financial institutions with higher borrowing costs.
She also encouraged eligible farmers and fisherfolk in Tarlac to avail themselves of the program.
The rollout also introduced the LANDBANK Agri-Fishery Support through Capability Enhancement for Nationwide Development Program, which provides training, mentoring, and financial literacy sessions to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of AgriSenso Plus borrowers.
Tarlac farmer Rogelio Sotto expressed gratitude for the assistance extended by LANDBANK.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa LANDBANK dahil po sa ganitong program na may napakalaking maitutulong sa ating mga magsasaka (We thank LANDBANK for this program, which is a big help to farmers like us),” he said.
LANDBANK continues to encourage more farmers, fisherfolk, and ARBs in Tarlac to participate in the initiative to help improve livelihoods and support long-term agricultural development in the province. (MJSC/AJRR, PIA Region 3-Tarlac)
