DA–NGOs–GOs Conduct Orientation

by AMBROSIO R. VILLORENTE

Dir. Nacionales

Some of the participants to the orientation.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) held a one day "orientation of the DA’s programs and projects for the Non Government Organizations (NGO) and People’s Organizations (PO) in Western Visayas. The orientation was held in Amigo Hotel, Iloilo City on September 30.
Some 50 participants from the provinces and cities attended the orientation which aimed to draw out support from the NGOs and Pos through their active participation in the massive information program. At the end of the orientation, the participants were expected to fully identify the DA’s programs and projects, determine the participants involvements, and commit their services.
Mr. Manuel Olanday, DA regional rice program coordinator presented the DA’s Rice Program. He talked about the rice situation in Western Visayas as to area devoted to rice production, rice requirement, and palay sufficiency level. According to Olanday, the rice program is geared towards farmers’ productivity and income, and attainment of rice self-sufficiency. He discussed the various strategies to attain the objectives such as the application of irrigation, hybrid seeds, fertilizer, post harvest facilities and market assistance.
Ricardo Saltin, regional corn program coordinator discussed the government strategy to improve corn production. He presented the corn situation in Western Visayas which self sufficiency level will take more time, resources and more work. Like rice, corn production will be improved using irrigation, fertilizer, hybrid seeds, post harvest facilities and dedicated farmer producers.
Maria Victoria Pacificador, regional high value commercial crops coordinator presented the direction and thrusts regarding those crops. She discussed the objectives of the program and the approaches to attain its goals which are market driven based production system; and home consumption.
Pacificador identified those priority high value crops such as fruits which are mango, banana and pineapple; vegetables which are ampalaya, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, eggplant, garlic, ginger, gourd, habitchuelas, lettuce, okra, onion, pechay, squash, string beans, tomato and white potato; rootcrops like cassava, sweet potato, ubi and gabi; and ornamental plants, cutflowers and essential oils.
The livestock program was presented by Perlita Mecha–regional livestock program coordinator. According to her, the livestock program is designed to establish a foundation for a productive, economical and sustainable livestock and poultry industry in Western Visayas. It will develop new agribusiness lands to generate jobs, and reduce prices of wage goods through productivity enhancement, more efficient logistics and improved retailing linkages.
The priorities are animal disease–free, genetic improvement, and competitiveness enhancement. The targets are cattle, carabao, goat and sheep, and hog and poultry. Farmers engaging in the livestock industry will be assisted in market access, research, development and extension, post harvest and storage, credit and corporate restructuring.
The provision of water through irrigation system was discussed by representatives from National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Bureau of Soils and Water Management and Philrice-Visayas.
Dir. Edilberto Lomigo of NIA discussed the water situation in Western Visayas. He gave the area under irrigation and the possible irrigable area. According to him, NIA is a government owned and controlled corporation. Unlike other government office, NIA salaries and wages are paid out of its income. Hence, NIA personnel are paid out of farmers’ irrigation fees. If farmers are unable to pay, NIA personnel will not be paid their salaries.
Ed Lebetario, station manager of Philrice-Visayas unloaded to the participants several principles of water management. He told them the functions of water in rice production and how to save and maximize the use of water for rice.
Engr. Oscar Carpio, of the BSWM told the participants the functions of his office and the ways and means to implement small scale water irrigation projects. He gave sample projects completed which maybe emulated in water impounding in other areas.
Credit programs of three financing offices were discussed. Jeffrey Maningo of the LBP-Iloilo presented what are the loans portfolio available in the LBP, and ways how to avail of it.
Dir. Joyce Wendam of DA Region VI discussed the Agricultural Competitive Enhancement Fund (ACEF). She gave the detail to the participants the nature of ACEF financing, who are qualified to avail of the fund, the process to avail of it and the terms and condition of either loan or grant.
The Quedancor loan facility was discussed by Francesca Bijare of Quedancor. Her discussion was received with cold water because of what is called the "swine anomaly".
Dr. Allan Alimodian of Agricultural Training Institute, presented the "Accreditation of Private Extension Services Providers for the Provision of Extension Services".
During the opening program, OIC – Regional Executive Dir. Larry Nacionales welcomed the participants. He also stressed the legal basis of the orientation and the importance of DA–NGOs– GO’s cooperation in the realization of the program thrusts of the Department of Agriculture. /MP