Buenavista Farmers To intensify Production For Guimaras Agri-tourism

Buenavista Farmers To intensify 

Production For Guimaras Agri-tourism

by James Earl E. Ogatis

Gearing for intensified Guimaras Agri-tourism, a total of 500 farmers, fisherfolk and livestock raisers were encouraged to produce safe, affordable and sufficient agricultural products during the 2015 farmers’ congress last April 17, 2015.

Dr. Joyce S. Wendam, DA 6 Regional Technical Director for Policy, Planning Research and Regulatory said that Western Visayas has approximately four million tourist arrivals annually and the province of Guimaras is one of the prime destinations.

“We need to increase production of prime commodities such as rice, high value crops, livestocks and fisheries to cater the food requirement of these tourists” Dr. Wendam stressed.

According to Wendam, the DA-Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) has already funded the seaweed production for Guimaras and this will generate additional employment for the women and out of school youth. It will ensure sustainability of volume and quality of production.

Guimaras Governor Samuel T. Gumarin stressed that farmers’ Congress was one of the venues for the farmers to learn national and local government livelihood programs and projects.

“Through this activity, farmers and fisherfolks will be empowered with agricultural information and knowledge given by the resource persons from different agencies” Governor added.

Meanwhile, Mayor Eugenio G. Reyes of Buenavista acknowledged the vital role of farmers and fisherfolks in feeding the Guimarasnons. He said that farmers should be resilient on environmental challenges and take advantage of national government collaborative efforts for agricultural development. 

“Continuous campaign for the protection of marine resources, adoption of new technologies and intensified farm mechanization will bolster production and profitability among the rural areas”, Mayor Reyes pointed out.

Among the topics discussed with the participants are: crop and fishery insurance, hybrid rice production, integrated rice and fish culture, organic agriculture, quarantine policies and procedures and agrarian production credit program. /MP