Interest-free agri loans available to farmers, youths

Western Visayas farmers, youths, and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are encouraged to apply for the three credit facilities of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) — the Expanded SURE COVID-19, Kapital Access for Young Agripreneurs (KAYA), and the Agri-Negosyo (ANYO).

“These zero-interest, no collateral loaning programs of ACPC seeks to provide the farming and fishery stakeholders with capital to finance their agri-fishery related production, processing, trading, and marketing activities,” said Maria Teresa T. Solis, DA regional agricultural credit desk officer.

As of September, DA-ACPC had released a ₱96.53 million loan amount under the SURE COVID-19 program to 3,534 small farmers and fisherfolk in the region wherein each beneficiary obtained a ₱25,000 loan payable up to 10 years.

“Since many had lost their jobs due to the pandemic, there are only a few who are buying the produce of the farmers. The DA-ACPC devised this program to provide farmers with capital to finance their production requirements,” Solis added.

ACPC had released ₱24.9 million to Aklan, ₱11.8 million to Antique, Capiz – ₱9.8 million, Guimaras – ₱1.8 million, Iloilo – ₱25 million, and Negros Occidental – ₱15 million as to date.

The SURE COVID-19 credit program also offers up to ₱10 million loanable amount to micro and small enterprises (MSE) who are into agri-fishery production and trading.

Farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) registered with Cooperative Development Authority, Securities and Exchange Commission, or with the Department of Labor and Employment can access this loaning facility which is payable for up to five years.

In Aklan, the Integrated Barangays of Numancia Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) had already received a ₱10-million loan, and the Lezo MPC obtained ₱5-million credit from ACPC. Antique’s Kalipunan ng mga Magsasaka ng Patnongon (KAMAPAT) availed ₱1 million loans that supported their rice trading and agricultural supply business.

Meanwhile, YLD-IISDA of Concepcion, Iloilo borrowed ₱5 million, and the Negros Island Organic Producers Association had accessed ₱3.5 million credit support from ACPC.

Solis added that there is about a ₱69.9 million loan pending for approval and ₱37 million under evaluation of MSE applications.

On the other hand, the KAYA program intends to provide young agripreneurs ages 18 to 30 years old with up to ₱500,000 loan to finance their start-up or existing agri-fishery enterprises.

“Kay ang aton mga farmers subong naga edad na, kilanlan naton e-engage ang mga kabataan sa agriculture, that is why gin create ini ni Secretary Dar para mag interest man sila sa agriculture,” Solis said.

The KAYA loan program, payable also for up to five years, can be accessed by youths who are not only graduate of agriculture and fishery courses.

“Although there is an edge if they are graduates of a four-year degree in agriculture, this loaning facility is also open to those who finished a DA-ATI accredited program, TESDA program, farm schools, and even secondary schools with agri-fishery related courses,” Solis explained.

ANYO, on the other hand, offers zero-interest loans to finance the capital requirements for production, processing, marketing, procurement of machinery and equipment, and even construction of relevant facilities of individual farmers, FCAs, OFWs, and MSEs.

They can borrow up to ₱15 million without interest and collateral.

Interested loan applicants can visit www.acpc.gov.ph or coordinate with their respective provincial agricultural credit desk officers for the list of requirements, and loan procedures.

Applicants will have to go through ACPC’s online orientation before the processing of their loan applications.

“Buligan ang dapat buligan. Ginabuligan naton ang kabalo magbulig sa ila kaugalingon, kabalo magtipig kag maghalong sa ila mga proyekto,” she emphasized. (Sheila Mae H. Toreno/DA-RAFIS 6)