Landbank launches Agrisenso Plus to aid Negros farmers

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By Dolly Yasa

CADIZ CITY, Negros Occidental — Farmers and fisherfolk in Negros Occidental are set to benefit from greater access to affordable financing and digital financial tools under the Land Bank of the Philippines’ (LANDBANK) Agrisenso Plus Lending Program.

The initiative was officially launched on October 30, 2025, at the Cadiz City Arena, led by LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante, and 2nd District Rep. Alfredo “Thirdy” Marañon III.

Over 1,800 farmers from Cadiz and nearby towns attended the event, which marked a milestone in expanding rural credit and agricultural modernization in Northern Negros.

Secretary Laurel expressed the Department of Agriculture’s full support for the program, underscoring its role in boosting farmers’ access to credit and livelihood opportunities.

“Sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagtulungan sa LANDBANK at iba pa nating katuwang, titiyakin natin na ang benepisyo ng AGRISENSO Plus ay makarating sa lahat ng magsasaka at mangingisda, saan mang sulok ng bansa,” Laurel said.

The Agrisenso Plus Lending Program simplifies loan applications through online integration, enabling farmers to apply anytime and anywhere.

It also offers a fixed interest rate of 3 percent per annum, significantly easing financing costs for small farmers, fisherfolk, and agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Beyond lending, the program provides holistic support through partnerships with the DA, Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and private sector groups.

These partnerships include free life insurance, simplified documentary requirements, and wider access to technical and market assistance to improve productivity and income.

As of August 2025, LANDBANK had released PHP 1.78 billion in loans to more than 12,000 borrowers nationwide, demonstrating the program’s growing reach and impact.

Cadiz City Mayor Salvador G. Escalante Jr. said the initiative supports his vision of transforming Cadiz and its neighboring areas into a major agricultural hub in Negros Occidental by 2026.

“With programs like AGRISENSO Plus, our farmers can now access more resources and support to modernize their practices and improve their income,” Escalante said.

Complementing the lending initiative, LANDBANK also introduced ASCEND (Agri-Fishery Support through Capability Enhancement for Nationwide Development), a program designed to train farmers and fishers in digital financial literacy, sustainable agriculture, and enterprise development.

LANDBANK likewise launched its Person-to-Merchant (P2M) QR payment facility in Negros Occidental to help farmers and micro-entrepreneurs receive payments for small transactions quickly and securely.

The cashless, fee-free platform aims to accelerate digital adoption in rural areas, ensuring faster payments and reducing dependence on physical cash.

Ortiz said the Agrisenso Plus Program was designed to address the real-world challenges that farmers face — from natural disasters such as the Mt. Kanlaon eruption to fluctuating market prices and limited credit access.

“LANDBANK has seen how our farmers and fisherfolk continue to face so many challenges. AGRISENSO Plus provides practical and inclusive solutions to help them recover, adapt, and thrive,” Ortiz said.

Through Agrisenso Plus, LANDBANK reaffirmed its mission to promote financial inclusion and rural development, ensuring that every Filipino farmer and fisher has the tools, training, and financing needed to build a more resilient agricultural sector.