DA 6 Brings Agri-Pinoy Programs To Belison, Antique

DA 6 Brings Agri-Pinoy 

Programs To Belison, Antique

by: James Earl E. Ogatis

 The Department of Agriculture (DA) 6 brought closer the five Agri-Pinoy banner programs to farmers, livestock raisers and fisherfolks in the municipality of Belison, Antique through the conduct of agricultural information caravan and technology forum on September 3, 2014.

Dominador Marquez - Provincial Agricultural Coordinating Officer of Antique said that the conduct of the Agricultural Information caravan is one of the venues wherein agricultural stakeholders are updated of the thrusts and priorities of the five banner programs of the DA.

The DA’s five banner programs are: Agri-Pinoy rice, corn, livestock and poultry. High value crops and organic agriculture programs were extensively discussed by the respective regional focal persons.

Marquez stressed the importance of agricultural information for the farmers to be competitive and cope with the challenges of climate change and of the global community.

“A well informed farmer can surely be competitive in terms of technology adoption, increase yield and productivity and eventually hurdle the challenges of climate change and impending Asian economic integration by year 2015”, Marquez stressed.

Belison Mayor Daryll B. Dela Flor said that the forum is essential for the farmers to raise issues on irrigation, seeds, fertilizer and marketing of their respective products.

He said that economic activities depend mostly on agriculture with more than half of its land is devoted to rice. The rest are planted to corn, coconut, sugar cane and other high value commodities like vegetables and peanuts.

“Being a coastal municipality, the town’s fisherfolks harvest more fishes, shells and other marine resources throughout the year,” said Mayor Dela Flor.   

Dir. Charlito Brilleta of Philippine Crops Insurance Corporation  talked about crop insurance, livestocks and fisherfolks in the municipality. Mr. Arthuro Blancaflor of Philippine Carabao Center at West Visayas State University Campus explained the program to preserve and upgrade the native carabaos.

Engr. Randy Alipis, provincial NIA administrator answered all queries on irrigation from water scheduling, irrigation canal repair and maintenance, irrigation fees, assurance of irrigation water supply and provincial irrigation plans.

Mr. Nicolasito S. Calawag, Antique Provincial Agriculturist expressed support to all the DA programs in his province.

“Antique is self-sufficient in rice wherein farmers are planting rice three times a year,” claimed Calawag.

Antique is exporting rice to neighboring provinces such as in Iloilo and Aklan particularly to Boracay, he stressed. /MP