ITOGON, Benguet – In a continuous bid to aid farmers in achieving food security and sufficiency for the region, the Department of Agriculture–Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) turned over PhP 273K worth of agricultural tools and equipment to farmers cooperatives and association (FCAs) and indigenous peoples organization recently in Itogon, Benguet.
Interventions given are three units (for cacao) and two units (for coffee) of grasscutter, four chainsaws, four knapsack sprayers, and 440 bottles of organic fertilizers from the High Value Crops Development Program. The recipients are the Itogon Agricultural Cooperative, Saddle Hartwell Lumbag Coffee Growers Association, and Cacao Growers Processor of Baguio-Benguet Federation. Meanwhile, the Lusod Ambasa Ancestral Domain Indigenous Peoples Organization (LAADIPO) received three rice threshers from the DA’s Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4K) Program.
The activity was done during the opening of the Agro-Industrial Trade Fair and Kintoman Festival, one of the highlights of the 123rd Itogon Founding Anniversary Celebration.
DA-CAR OIC-Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan, in her keynote message, underlined the importance of preserving heirloom rice as an essential part of the Cordilleran identity and for food security and sufficiency. To continue the heirloom rice heritage, Dawayan said that the DA-CAR is continuing its advocacy of implementing projects in relation to heirloom rice, adding that the agency allocated a 72-million-peso budget for heirloom rice in 2024 for CAR. The budget will be used for proposed activities including the conservation of heirloom rice through the enhancement of seed banks; development of heirloom rice seed production system; local capacity enhancement; strengthening of existing heirloom rice provincial cooperatives; and conduct of a full-blown value chain analysis of heirloom rice. “This will not be possible without the support of farmers’ continuous effort in preserving the Cordilleran heritage and capturing the value of heirloom rice,” she said.
She added that the DA-CAR will continue to champion the preservation of heirloom rice, one of which is the Kintoman variety which is a native in Benguet. “Heirloom rice is also being served during cañao as a way to share its bountiful harvest to the community. To preserve its heritage, we conducted a study on heirloom rice and their characterization. Through this study, we were able to identify each variety that goes to which community,” Dawayan added that these can be preserved by storing them in plant genetic areas, gene and seed banks for future withdrawal by the community who owns each variety to prevent possible loss. The DA-CAR has a dedicated heirloom rice plant genetic area in the Baguio Animal Breeding and Research Center.
Further, Dawayan noted that the opportunity to increase rice production in Benguet is still present. And with the proper technology being advocated, it is hoped that the region will continue to increase its rice production. Among the highlighted programs dedicated to rice industry development is the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) that covers farm mechanization, seeds, credit and extension services including the Rice Farmer Financial Assistance (RFFA).
Thus, the farmers are urged to register to the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), which is a basic requirement in availing various agricultural assistance from the government.
Dawayan also highlighted Benguet’s agricultural accomplishments such as having the highest good agricultural practices (GAP) certified farms, the home of organic agriculture, and making history for having the first Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) group nationwide, while also acknowledging the efforts of the Itogon Integrated Organic Farmers Association (IIOFA) as one of the PGS groups in Benguet.
She also introduced the newly appointed DA Chief Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and his advocacy on local and bottoms-up planning, and DA’s collaboration with local government units in implementing programs and projects for the next years to come.
Dawayan assured that the DA-CAR will continue its full support to the farmers. “The Department of Agriculture will continue to commit our full support for the farmers of Itogon, and of the region because you play a vital role in ensuring that the current administration will achieve its goal of “Masaganang Agrikultura, Maunlad na Ekonomiya”, and reach its ultimate goal towards food security and self-sufficiency.” By CEWaytan
