The Land Bank of the Philippines said it has partnered with the Unified Tiller Agriculture Cooperative (UTAC) to help boost rice production and protect farmers from rising input costs.
UTAC is a cooperative based in Cagayan, Isabela, focused on enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting sustainable farming practices and providing members with the resources and support they need.
The bank said in a statement on Tuesday, the partnership was made under its AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program that will serve more than 8,000 farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries, or ARBs with access to affordable financing, technical support, and stable market channels for their produce.
Under the collaboration, Land Bank will provide the financing backbone and training support through its AGRISENSO Plus and ASCEND Programs, while UTAC will provide the technology of regenerative farming protocols, supply agricultural inputs apart from buying, processing and selling of agricultural outputs, extensive support and comprehensive assistance.
Land Bank said it could not provide a specific amount that it would give the farm cooperative as no funds would be directly disbursed to UTAC.
The bank said UTAC will only help to endorse potential borrowers among its members while also providing technical support.
“We firmly believe that meaningful change begins with meaningful collaborations. Land Bank remains fully committed to supporting UTAC and their partners through accessible financing, technical assistance, and dedicated loan servicing ensuring that no farmer is left behind in our shared journey,” Lynette Ortiz, Land Bank president and chief executive officer, said.
The bank said that with this partnership, UTAC becomes the sixth anchor partner under the AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program, joining SariSuki, TAO Foods, KITA Agritech, Syntegral Global Solutions, and Yovel East in advancing modernization of the agriculture sector across the country.
Land Bank said that as of March 2025, it has released P877.98 million in loans under AGRISENSO Plus, benefiting nearly 4,700 borrowers nationwide.
