BAGUIO CITY – In support of agri-fishery sector development, a total of 48 resolutions were proposed and approved during the Luzon Cluster Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AFC) Stakeholders Conference which was held in Baguio City on June 19-21, 2024.
The resolutions were mainly based on the two programs that were presented during the event, specifically the National Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development (NCI-SRD) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Services’ (AMAS) veggie connect and major services. These were presented by Dr. Karen Kristine Roscom, NCI-SRD National Secretariat Head, and Trinidad Carlos of DA-AMAS, respectively.
These resolutions are mostly in support of and recommendatory towards the better implementation of agri-fishery services being provided by NCI-SRD and DA-AMAS. The focused topics include the request for dedicated funding to implement the projects under NCI-SRD; support and establishment of KADIWA Centers in all provinces to cater to various local agri-fishery products; financial and technical assistance on agricultural production and processing; fund allocation for emerging and priority commodities, and additional marketing initiatives or veggie connect.
Melinda Quiñones, Chief of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF)-Partnership Development Division, said that they will further assess the resolutions for finalization and endorsement to the DA Secretary.
They also thanked the Luzon AFC participants for their active participation and outputs as they look forward to further assisting the farmers and fisherfolk in developing their farming and fishery ventures.
The Stakeholders Conference culminated with a benchmarking in Winaca Eco-Cultural Village in Tublay, Benguet. Here, the participants learned about the local agricultural practices including their culture and tradition as they immersed themselves with nature.
The Luzon AFC Stakeholders Conference was participated in by around 230 participants composed of national and local AFCs, DA-RFOs’ Regional Executive Directors, Regional AFC Executive Officers and Coordinators, and local agriculturists from the local government units (LGUs). It was hosted by the Regional AFC in CAR in partnership with the PCAF.
The next leg of the Stakeholders Conference is slated for August with the Visayas Cluster as participants. By JBAgrifino and CEWaytan
