The Department of Agriculture (DA) Central Office through its Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division (AFID) recently organized a regional information caravan for the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) dubbed, “Masaganang Agrikultura Maunlad na Ekonomiya Tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas”. The event took place on August 30, 2023, at the Kalinga Sports Complex, with the support of the DA-CAR and the Provincial Government of Kalinga.
The main objective of the information caravan was to provide farmers and fisherfolk with additional knowledge and information on how to maximize and utilize various DA programs and projects. Approximately 600 farmers and fisherfolk from Kalinga, Apayao, and Mt. Province participated in the event.
Dir. Danilo P. Daguio, the DA-CAR Regional Technical Director for Operations, explained that the caravan is part of a nationwide initiative aimed at promoting the DA’s programs under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. These programs are specifically tailored to address the unique agricultural development needs of farmers and fisherfolk. The event also served as a platform for gathering valuable feedback to refine existing policies and strategies of the agency, aligning them with the needs of farmers and preventing complaints and misunderstandings. This focus on addressing agricultural challenges will further enrich production in the agricultural sector.
Meanwhile, Vice Governor of Kalinga, Jocel Baac, emphasized the essential role of the DA’s ongoing support to farmers and fisherfolk. He highlighted the need for effective implementation of government programs and projects and also called for a review of the allocation of funds in the General Appropriations Act to ensure a fair distribution that gives more attention to agriculture.
Moreover, Atty. John Paul Baguiwan, who represented Governor James Edduba, expressed his endorsement for prioritizing agricultural development. He stressed the importance of boosting the local economy through enhanced technical support and modern agriculture practices.
Throughout the information caravan, various topics were presented. Director Alex Rigor presented the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP), DA-CAR DRRM Focal Person Lito Mocati discussed El Niño Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies, and Edlyn Cacuyong talked about the Agriculture Credit Policy Council. Further, Market Development Section Chief Imelda Balaoing of the DA-CAR’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, introduced the Agriculture Enterprise Development program which is a collaboration with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas that aims to provide cashless assistance. Lastly, Jason Budas, the DA-CAR Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) Program Management Officer, discussed the RSBSA. The RSBSA is now a basic requirement in availing of agri interventions from the government.
To ensure that the farmers and fisherfolk were able to access the information and services directly, the DA-CAR with its attached bureaus and partner implementers set up booths at the venue to showcase their respective services. These booths provided accurate information about the programs and services they offer and how individuals could benefit from them. Distribution of free seeds were also facilitated by the High Value Crops Development Program of the DA-CAR.
The Agricultural Training Institute- Cordillera (ATI-CAR), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources- Cordillera (BFAR-CAR), Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority-Cordillera (FPA-CAR), Agricultural Credit Policy Council-Cordillera (ACPC-CAR), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) Region II, Land Bank of the Philippines, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas participated in the event.
