BATAC CITY – About 1,200 tobacco growers in Ilocos Norte received P6,000 in cash assistance each Thursday and Friday to boost their income, the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) said.

NTA General Manager Randy Abella told the Philippine News Agency on Friday the beneficiaries are listed under the agency’s Tobacco Contract Growing System (TCGS) program, which provides production, technical and marketing support.

“Aside from the cash aid, tobacco farmers who are not under the TCGS will receive a grant based on their needs,” Abella said.

He said all registered tobacco farmers will receive a production grant, but the exact amount for those outside the TCGS is still being confirmed.

Local government units in the province are also distributing fertilizers, insecticides and other inputs.

The NTA provides an average of P50,000 per hectare in production assistance to contract growers, with a 40-percent subsidy. This year, 1,259 farmers entered the contract system.

Tobacco farmer Nestor Asuncion of San Nicolas said the support prompted his shift from rice to tobacco.

“With the high cost of agricultural inputs and fuel, I would rather plant tobacco because everything is provided including machinery. Just make sure you produce quality leaves,” he said.