At least 100 representatives from the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AFC) and civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Cordillera region convened for the two-day Summit on September 7-8, 2023 in Banaue, Ifugao. Facilitated by the Department of Agriculture–Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR), the Summit is a continuing effort of the agency in empowering farmers towards improving their livelihoods and contributing to the development and sustainability of the agricultural sector.
The summit with the theme, “Cultivating Success: Transformative Stories of Agricultural Triumph Through Agricultural Innovations,” also served as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and problem-solving within the farming community and with other stakeholders. Induction of the Regional AFC officers was also conducted.
During the activity, different CSOs and AFC volunteers shared their transformative stories on embracing agricultural innovations. Regional Chairperson for Fisheries and Aquaculture Jerome Baay also highlighted the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ programs on fisheries development, fisheries resources and law enforcement, and extension programs, among others.
Moreover, RAFC Executive Officer Dr. Susan D. Balanza discussed the current trend in agriculture that affects the sector, such as growing population, consumer preference, urbanization and environmental degradation, aging farmers, poverty, and technological innovations, among others. She also presented the regional goals, objectives, and target of DA-CAR for the region, including CAR to sustain its position as the top producer-supplier of semi-temperate vegetables, increase the sufficiency level of rice and corn, improve the foundation of the livestock industry, improve marginal areas not usually covered by banner/major programs and poorest of the poor barangays, and increase the contribution of the agri-fisheries sectors to the overall economy of CAR.
Balanza also tackled communicative action and underscored the importance of communication among and between the farmers and the government. Importantly, farmers’ concerns cannot be ignored as they play a vital role in the agri-food system and are the frontliners in agri-food supply chain. Thus, the challenges they are facing directly impact the key concerns about food, which is the basic need of humans. She said that through communicative action, the government and the farmers can come up with resolutions that will address their concerns as developing communicative action also serves as the foundation for rational and cooperative social interaction.
DA-CAR Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) focal person Lito Mocati also dwelled on climate change, DRRM prevention on typhoons, and El Niño. Accordingly, the occurrences of strong typhoons, which is also an effect of El Niño, are testaments to the devastating effects of climate change on food security, vulnerability of the community and their livelihoods. Mocati also presented the country’s climate outlook for the next 6 months. Based on the outlook, the Cordillera will start to experience El Niño in November this year.
The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries also presented the outstanding AFC guidelines and AFC membership, while RAFC-CAR presented its milestones and accomplishments throughout the years.
In her message, DA-CAR Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Dr. Arlene M. Sagayo said that the Summit also serves as an exchange of accomplishments. “This summit is also a time for us to be grateful for our accomplishments, and may these accomplishments serve as a source of solution to issues and concerns,” she said.
Ifugao Provincial Agriculturist Domingo B. Mariano, meanwhile, praised the volunteerism of AFCs in implementing agricultural programs and projects. “We are partners in community development and for the welfare of our farmers as they are the most important sector in the society. They are our heroes of today because their dedication and skill in farming is fitted for all season. They make the barren lands into production areas. They make sure no one will go to sleep hungry. That is why I hope that from now on, no one will say ‘I am JUST a farmer’, but rather ‘I AM a farmer’,” he stated.
Performing AFCs, local governments and notable AFC volunteers were also awarded for their invaluable services and unwavering spirit of volunteerism for the agriculture sector.
In closing, RAFC Chairperson Ryan U. Palunan expressed his gratitude to the AFC volunteers for their dedication to strengthening the agriculture sector and hopes for more youth to join the sector. “I hope that this event will not just end here. May this event serve as a challenge for us on how to strengthen and maintain our AFCs in our respective communities, as well as to encourage more farmers to be involved in AFC. I hope this could also be an inspiration to both the older generations and the youth. I hope that we can encourage more youth to be part of the agriculture sector. We do not believe that this sector is only for the poor, as we can see that you are here to show your success stories in agriculture,” he stated.
To cap the activity, the participants had a field visit to the Heirloom Rice Center, which was funded by the DA-Philippine Rural Development Project, and the Batad Rice Terraces. By CEWaytan
