Ambrosio R. Villorente
Committee Meetings
Committee Meetings
At Aklan SP
Last Tuesday, April 15, I was privileged to attend a Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan committee meeting of the Committee on Agriculture being chaired by Hon. Plaridel M. Morania. The invitation stated that the meeting will start at 2:30 in the afternoon.
I arrived at a designated place and time of the meeting. However, at about 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon there was no quorum. Hon. Plaridel Morania, Hon. Jose Yap, Hon. Daisy Sucro Briones and Hon. Jean Rodriguez were present.
Like a busy man, I suggested an off the record discussion to utilize the time. But Hon. Vicente Seraspi, Jr., SB Member of Banga arrived to attend another committee meeting regarding Banga’s proposed Market Code. The committee where that proposal belongs proceeded with the committee meeting with Hon. Seraspi as resource person.
After the meeting on the proposed Banga Market Code, the SP Agriculture Committee tackled the proposal authored by Hon. Plaridel M. Morania. The proposal requests Hon. Carlito S. Marquez to allocate more funds out of the 20 percent Internal Revenue Allotment for agricultural production of rice, abaca and other high value crops. It did not state any definite amount and for what definite crop.
Mr. Delano Tefora – Provincial Agriculturist and Ms. Salome David, Asst. Provincial Agriculturist were requested to give their views on the said proposed resolution. Both Tefora and David reported the result of the previous rice crops using hybrid rice seeds. According to Tefora, Aklan placed 17th among the provinces which engaged in the previous hybrid rice crop seasons. As far as hybrid rice production is concerned in Aklan, it is successful. However, according to Ms. David, the hybrid crops in the recent seasons were not as successful in view of the adverse weather condition. There were rains, floods and wind that damaged not only rice but other crops too. Ms. David explained the capital requirements in the production of hybrid rice which will reach P50,000 per hectare.
With this investment per hectare, only a handful of Aklanon farmers can afford to spend P50,000 capital per hectare per season, the Committee agreed.
The proposal of Hon. Morania requests for more money for investment in agriculture. There is neither project plan presented where to invest the money nor projection or target and time frame of the project.
I therefore recommended to the Committee on Agriculture to ask the concerned offices in Aklan to prepare an Agricultural Development Program. This Agriculture program maybe a short term, medium term and long term, or one year, five years, and 10 years and beyond. These programs will be used to justify the request for funding.
Like a busy man, I suggested an off the record discussion to utilize the time. But Hon. Vicente Seraspi, Jr., SB Member of Banga arrived to attend another committee meeting regarding Banga’s proposed Market Code. The committee where that proposal belongs proceeded with the committee meeting with Hon. Seraspi as resource person.
After the meeting on the proposed Banga Market Code, the SP Agriculture Committee tackled the proposal authored by Hon. Plaridel M. Morania. The proposal requests Hon. Carlito S. Marquez to allocate more funds out of the 20 percent Internal Revenue Allotment for agricultural production of rice, abaca and other high value crops. It did not state any definite amount and for what definite crop.
Mr. Delano Tefora – Provincial Agriculturist and Ms. Salome David, Asst. Provincial Agriculturist were requested to give their views on the said proposed resolution. Both Tefora and David reported the result of the previous rice crops using hybrid rice seeds. According to Tefora, Aklan placed 17th among the provinces which engaged in the previous hybrid rice crop seasons. As far as hybrid rice production is concerned in Aklan, it is successful. However, according to Ms. David, the hybrid crops in the recent seasons were not as successful in view of the adverse weather condition. There were rains, floods and wind that damaged not only rice but other crops too. Ms. David explained the capital requirements in the production of hybrid rice which will reach P50,000 per hectare.
With this investment per hectare, only a handful of Aklanon farmers can afford to spend P50,000 capital per hectare per season, the Committee agreed.
The proposal of Hon. Morania requests for more money for investment in agriculture. There is neither project plan presented where to invest the money nor projection or target and time frame of the project.
I therefore recommended to the Committee on Agriculture to ask the concerned offices in Aklan to prepare an Agricultural Development Program. This Agriculture program maybe a short term, medium term and long term, or one year, five years, and 10 years and beyond. These programs will be used to justify the request for funding.
Asparagus
One crop I recommended for commercial planting is Asparagus. Asparagus is a perennial crop. Once asparagus plantation is established, the farmer owner’s job is to manage, care and harvest asparagus for the next 15 to 20 years depending upon the skills and technology of the farmer owner.
But this Asparagus must be planted only in Libacao which is free of flood and strong wind. Libacao is the coolest place of Aklan, fairly suited for the planting and production of Asparagus. Moreover, the establishment of a one hectare Asparagus plantation requires at least P500,000. However, this investment will be returned on the 10th month after planting as farmers will start harvesting shoots of Asparagus starting the 10th month after planting. If seeds are used, harvesting starts after two years.
A one hectare Asparagus will yield from 10 to 12 metric tons each year. At P50.00 per kilo, that means P500,000 gross income per year. But a one hectare Asparagus crop requires five (5) laborers daily, working at an average of eight hours a day, six days a week.
Libacao can produce Asparagus as it has done before. It can start at a small scale and gradually expand the area.
But this Asparagus must be planted only in Libacao which is free of flood and strong wind. Libacao is the coolest place of Aklan, fairly suited for the planting and production of Asparagus. Moreover, the establishment of a one hectare Asparagus plantation requires at least P500,000. However, this investment will be returned on the 10th month after planting as farmers will start harvesting shoots of Asparagus starting the 10th month after planting. If seeds are used, harvesting starts after two years.
A one hectare Asparagus will yield from 10 to 12 metric tons each year. At P50.00 per kilo, that means P500,000 gross income per year. But a one hectare Asparagus crop requires five (5) laborers daily, working at an average of eight hours a day, six days a week.
Libacao can produce Asparagus as it has done before. It can start at a small scale and gradually expand the area.
Asparagus
Market
Market
Demand for Asparagus in Aklan is high. Boracay is a ready market. Kalibo needs asparagus too. Why, fill up the supply to earn more money out of this crop?
Asparagus soup is favorite of both foreigners and Pilipinos. Asparagus salad is a Pilipino favorite. The Chinese likes Asparagus juice for it is sweet, rich in vitamins and minerals needed by human body. Yes Libacao, go, plant, raise, eat and sell Asparagus for good nutrition and earn money out of it. /MP
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