Capiz Celebrates 8th Farmers Day

Capiz Celebrates 8th Farmers Day

by James Earl F. Ogatis and Sheila Mae H. Toreno

DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, Cong. Antonio del Rosario and Gov. Victor A. Tanco graced the 8th CapizTahan Farmers and Fisherfolk Day celebration which was attended by 2,200 agricultural stakeholders composed of farmers, livestock raisers, fisherfolk, agri-entreprenuers, agricultural extension workers and local government executives of Capiz. In Top Photo are (from left) Hon. Eduardo Magallanes, Vice Gov. Evan Contreras, Gov. Victor A. Tanco, Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, DA 6 Dir. Larry P. Nacionales, PhilMech Dir. Rex L. Bingabing, DA 6 RTD Manuel O. Olanday and NFA Director Bernardo Asetre (James Earl E. Ogatis photo).

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala graced the annual Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Day Celebration in Capiz held just recently. Alcala has attended the same celebration for the last five years. 

This year’s celebration with the theme “Agrikultura: Pasanyugon Para sa Bugana nga Pagkaon” was aimed at supporting the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Food Staple Sufficiency Program.

Sec. Alcala emphasized to the farmers to support the present administration of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III amid the various political issues that hamper national development. He cited the huge support of the President to the agriculture sector as the expansion of farm-to-market road projects and other agri-infrastructures continue nationwide which significantly help in attaining food sufficiency and inclusive economic growth. 

Around 2,200 farmers, fisherfolk, livestock and poultry raisers, members of farmers associations and cooperatives, municipal agriculturists, agricultural extension workers, and local government officials attended the event. 

Sec. Alcala commended the efforts farmers, fisherfolk and association of 17 municipalities of Capiz that took part in the Farmers’ Market Day Product Exhibit. 

Furthermore, he thanked the indigenous peoples (IPs) of Capiz for producing one of the best quality rice in the region. Thus, he committed to provide one unit of rice mill to the municipality of Tapaz and vacuum pack sealers to better the rice production and storage.

Sec. Alcala granted several agricultural subsidies and projects to farmer participants including 20 bags of assorted vegetable seeds, 50 bags of hybrid corn seeds, 30 bags of open-pollinated variety white corn seeds, 150 bags of registered rice seeds, 10 packets of goat (one packet consists of 1 male and 4 female goats), 50 units of fishing gear, 20 units of fishing engine with 5.5hp, 5 units of floating tillers, 10 units of pump and engine sets for irrigation (shallow tube well), 6 units of rice thresher, 10 units of fiber glass boat with engine, 10 carabaos with implements, and 6 units of handtractor with trailers. 

Last year, Sec. Alcala had spearheaded the inauguration of several agri-fishery projects in Capiz including the P200 million Communal Irrigation Project in Maayon, P10 million worth of “AA” slaughterhouse in President Roxas, and AHON project in Pilar. 

Aside from the production supports, the DA Regional Field Office 6 had already established market linkages for APAMI products of Capiz through promotion in the local and international trade fairs. Value chain analyses on special rice such as red, black and white aromatic rice. Benchmarking studies on selected commodities were conducted as preparation for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) integration. Shellfish and the Live Grouper Production and Marketing, two enterprise development projects are already approved under the Philippine Rural Development Project. /MP