BONTOC, Mountain Province – Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan graced the opening ceremony of the Agro-industrial Trade Fair today, September 9, 2024 in this capital town in line with the 116th Founding Anniversary of the municipality and the 20th Am-among Festival.
Themed “Innovation and Adaptability for a Better and Brighter Bontoc,” the trade fair also served as a platform for farmers and agripreneurs to showcase and market their produce.
In her keynote address, Dawayan underscored the importance of the celebration as a way to honor the rich traditions and agricultural practices that have sustained the Cordilleran community for generations. “It serves as a platform for showcasing local produce and talents, developing community spirit, and highlighting the importance of agriculture in our lives. It is a time for us to come together to celebrate our achievements, share our stories, and recommit ourselves to progress and unity,” she said.
Further, she laid out various interventions provided to Bontoc for the past year that geared towards agricultural development, including support from the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) through provisions of farm inputs, machinery and equipment.
The agency, she continued, has also provided incentives for the agricultural extension workers (AEW)in recognition of their valuable contributions for bountiful agriculture.
In addition, Atty. Dawayan also shared that an additional PhP619,000 will be provided for next year under the HVCDP, in support of the equipment and school garden tools for selected elementary schools, nurturing agricultural education and skills among youth. It will also fund farm inputs including plastic sheets, inorganic fertilizers, and multi-cultivator. She noted that this is just an initial allocation and hopes that the legislators will increase the budget of DA for further funding.
She also highlighted that Bontoc is the sole municipality in the region to receive two trucks used for hauling farmers’ produce such as heirloom rice, assorted vegetables, rootcrops, eggs, tilapia, corn, and live hogs. They are also being used for other market purposes, which benefits 15 farmer cooperatives and associations.
Dawayan also commended the three Young Farmers Challenge 2022 provincial awardees from the barangays of Caluttit, Dalican, and Maligcong.
Moreover, the agency’s commitment extends to rice sectors of Bontoc, allocating approximately PhP17 million for fiscal year 2024. It includes production support services through the provision of agricultural inputs, and allocations for 3,157 rice farmers under the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance this year, and continuous support for the Heirloom Rice Project by investing in techno-demo farms and incentives for AEWs.
She continues that the agency funded a Coffee Consolidation, Processing and Marketing Facility worth PhP8M last year under the Philippine Rural Development Project.
To further enhance the agricultural advancement, economic growth and improvement of the farmers’ livelihoods of the municipality, the municipal government proposed an amount of PhP107 million for critical enterprise and infrastructure projects such as communal irrigation system, municipal abattoir and dressing plant, and farm-to-market roads.
“This festival is a demonstration to the enduring spirit of collaboration between DA and municipal government of Bontoc. It exemplifies our shared commitment to innovation and progress in agriculture. Each farmer plays a crucial role in this sector, not only as a producer but as a vital contributor to the economic and social fabric of our community,” she added.
On a final note, Dawayan hopes that DA will become the bridge of the leaders for their local aspirations. She also sees the area as a melting pot for various agri-fishery products and services as Bontoc is the crossroad of tourist destinations. She reiterated that DA’s support will always support the municipality with their project proposals. By Cy-j E. Waytan
