Section 23Sec./Art. 23

Incentives.- Small farmers, including agricultural share tenants and lessees, regular and seasonal farmworkers and beneficiaries under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL), shall be entitled to the following privileges or incentives:

1. Financial and technical assistance shall be awarded to deserving farmers' organizations implementing livelihood projects. Concerned national offices or agencies shall assist them in locating markets for their produce and by providing other support services necessary for the success of their projects;

2. Barangay, municipal or provincial officials shall assist their respective communities to make the necessary representations before the appropriate government agencies in seeking assistance for agro-based projects. They shall be encouraged to support farmers to set up site specific agro-based projects that shall be operated in a business-like manner;

3. The Department of Agriculture and other concerned agencies shall promote investment and financing programs designed to channel financial resources to livelihood projects in the countryside;

4. Preferential tariff terms shall be extended on farm inputs and spare parts, farm machinery and equipment imported by farmers' organizations provided that these are used specifically for their projects;

5. The Government shall give incentives and recognition to farmers and farmers' organizations adopting more efficient farm technologies or equipment resulting in increased productivity and income;

6. The Government shall widen the scope of the existing crop and livestock insurance programs by providing an insurance scheme that can accommodate major crops, livestock and other produce of small farmers;

7. Study tours of short duration, local or overseas, shall be provided to deserving small farmers to improve their technological competence and knowledge;

8. A system of certification of farm skills shall be instituted by the Department of Agriculture through duly authorized institutions to upgrade the skills of farmers and farmworkers;

9. Farmers' insurance coverage by the Social Security System subject to its charter shall be extended to small farmers and farmworkers; and

10. Importations shall not be allowed on agricultural products that are produced locally in sufficient quantity. Importation policies should include the protection of new and developing crops such as soybean, ramie, sorghum and wheat. Importation policies shall be reviewed periodically by the Government in consultation with farmers' organizations.