The Department of Agriculture (DA) has expanded its P20 per kilogram rice program in Kalinga province, while releasing about ₱285 million in additional agricultural aid for local farmers this year. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. led the launch activities in Tabuk City, which included facility inspections, farmer dialogues, and distribution of support covering rice, corn, livestock, high-value crops, and local development projects.
Kalinga hosts roughly 37,720 farming households and over 47,000 hectares of irrigated land; in 2025, it produced more than 138,000 metric tons of rice—including nearly 6,000 metric tons of valued heirloom varieties—making it a key food source for the Cordillera region. Assistance this year is slightly higher than the ₱283.6 million extended in 2025, and delivery is ensured through 259 accredited civil society groups to reach both individual farmers and cooperatives.
At prevailing market rates, regular milled rice sells for P43–P45 per kg and well-milled rice for P48–P50 per kg, with special and premium varieties costing up to P60.50 per kg. The P20 price point offers significant savings for consumers, while the broader aid package—including farm machinery, crop insurance, and market linkages such as Kadiwa Ng Pangulo—aims to boost productivity, sustain livelihoods, and secure regional food supply. Officials emphasized the goal to turn farming from subsistence work into a driver of economic growth for Kalinga and the wider Cordillera area.
This expansion makes affordable rice more accessible, directly easing household costs amid current market prices. The increased, comprehensive support strengthens local food production, protects traditional rice varieties, and raises farm incomes—positioning Kalinga as a more stable supplier and helping secure food security across northern Luzon.
