CABANATUAN CITY (PIA) — The municipal government of Laur in Nueva Ecija is strengthening agriculture and food security programs through farmer support services, farm mechanization projects, climate-resilient interventions, and livestock development initiatives in support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s food security agenda.
Mayor Benjamin Padilla said agriculture remains the municipality’s primary source of livelihood, prompting the local government to prioritize programs that directly benefit farmers and improve agricultural productivity.
Among the municipality’s key initiatives is the updating and validation of farmers’ records to ensure eligible beneficiaries receive government assistance and agricultural support services.
The local government also secured a village-type rice mill from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization or PhilMech.
This facility will help farmers reduce milling costs and improve the value of their harvests through accessible post-harvest processing services.
“The village-type rice mill will directly benefit our farmers by allowing them to process their harvests at a lower cost,” Padilla said.
The municipal government is also exploring the direct procurement of palay from local farmers at better prices while strengthening livestock services through free animal vaccination and artificial insemination programs.
Padilla said the local government has directed the Laur Water System to identify additional sites for pumping stations and ensure a stable water supply in communities to help mitigate the effects of El Niño.
“Some areas in Laur continue to experience water shortages, and we are committed to ensuring that every barangay has access to clean water for every household,” he added.
The Municipal Agriculture Office has also been tasked with promoting climate-resilient technologies and crop varieties, as well as providing farmers with training and technical assistance.
“We continue to implement programs that support food production by providing farmers, cooperatives, and organizations with seeds and free technical assistance from our agriculture technicians, with support from the national government,” Padilla said.
Through these initiatives, the local government unit of Laur continues to strengthen agricultural productivity, improve farmers’ access to essential services and facilities, and contribute to long-term food security in support of the national agenda. (CLJD/MCAL, PIA Region 3-Nueva Ecija)
