To further boost Kalinga’s production of corn and high value crops, 18 Farmer Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) were provided with Php1.178 million worth of various agricultural interventions from the Department of Agriculture – Cordillera (DA-CAR).
The interventions consist of 5 units of Pump Irrigation Systems for Open Source (PISOS) from Corn Program, 4 units from High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), 4 units of multi-cultivator, and 6 units of power sprayer.
Kalinga, aside from being the “rice granary of the Cordillera”, is also part of the Corn Corridor of the Cordilleras together with Mountain Province. But the province also boasts its high value crops production, especially coffee, mango, and lowland vegetables.
In his message, DA-CAR Regional Technical Director for Operations Danilo P. Daguio reminded the mandate of the agency on food security and sufficiency, hence the purpose of the interventions given to the beneficiaries. “Because of the agency’s mandate, the government must give support to the farmers to realize the agency’s goal of food sufficiency of the country,” he said. He also encouraged the FCAs to adopt the clustering and consolidation strategy to increase their overall productivity and income. This will also ensure greater availability and wider utilization of agri-aqua technologies, farm mechanization, logistics and transport support, and post-harvest facilities.
This was supported by Provincial Agriculturist Domingo Bakilan, adding that the purpose of the interventions is for the province to directly market their own produce to other municipalities instead of the municipalities buying from other provinces.
Mr. Fernando Cosidon, representing Congressman Allen Jesse Mangaoang, recognized the challenges faced by the agriculture sector, specifically on climate change and expensive fertilizer. He pointed out the need for collaborative actions between all government branches, starting from the bottom as they are the first-hand witnesses, to mitigate the challenges faced by the agricultural sector.
Further, Governor James S. Edduba represented by Provincial Administrator Teddy Gullay expressed his gratitude to DA-CAR and the Provincial Agriculture Office for their steadfast commitment to agricultural development. “These machineries are not merely tools, they are symbols of empowerment, and resilience in the face of adversity. To all beneficiaries, I implore you to make the most of this machinery for all members of your FCAs, let them not gather dust in the storage but let them be put to work irrigating our fields, nurturing our crops, and enriching our livelihoods,” he said further encouraging that the machinery must be well taken and maintained to ensure longevity and effectiveness.
The turnover is part of the turnover series conducted in other provinces since last May 2024. By Cy-j E. Waytan, with reports from Jovelyn U. Valenciano, Information Officer II