BAGUIO CITY – After two decades of supporting the Cordillera farmers evolve a viable corn industry, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Cordillera–Corn Program will kick off its 2nd Regional Corn Congress in the municipality of Bangued, Abra on March 1-3.
With the theme “Panagsalukay, Pangipakat ti baro a Teknolohiya ken Panagtalek ti Dios, Tulbek ti Panagrang-ay,” the congress shall serve as a venue for the farmers to share their success stories and motivate and inspire other farmers of the region.
The DA’s Corn Program has successfully promoted the commodity staple. The congress aims to highlight the growth of the Cordillera Regional Corn Cluster by gathering them together in one venue to share lessons and learn from their experiences together.
“We want to impart to the farmers how our product became successful from the beginning up to now and appreciate the struggles we went through together,” said Tessi Billedo, President of Abra Gabriela Women’s Association, one of the guest speakers.
“The active participation of corn farmers in the various government interventions such as seminars and training helped in our successes as an organization and as farmers,” she reiterated.
Some 450 participants from the Apayao, Abra, Benguet, Mt. Province, Kalinga, and Ifugao are expected to attend and participate in the event. Assistant Secretary for Field Operation Service Federico E. Laciste Jr. and USEC for Field Operations Ariel Cayanan will grace the congress.
Slated activities for the said gathering include a trade fair, a governor’s night, resolution making, open forum and project visitation to the Gabriela Women Association and a visit to the Pamora Farm in Abra.
The Congress will highlight the successes of the region’s corn farmers in increasing their production and income through technology and care of nature.
By Alfredo C. Canero III