BAGUIO CITY – For the second time around Usec. Evelyn G. Laviña, Undersecretary for High-Value Crops and Rural Credit visited the Province of Benguet.
“In the Department of Agriculture, in behalf of Secretary Piñol, we are roaming around to know the needs of the farmers, and these needs should come from you,” said Usec. Laviña.
She visited farms planted with succulent vegetables, cut flowers, strawberries and even a hydroponically operated greenhouse owned by a British national in Atok and in La Trinidad. Usec.Laviña consulted with the farmers of both municipalities.
The farms have good potentials in the market according to her except for some issues and concerns which she encountered. Specifically, she saw the need for the farmers to work with their municipalities to prepare their agricultural strategic plan that should comprise the value chain or set of linked activities to add value to their products. The plan should consist of actors and actions that improve a product and link commodity producers to processors and markets.
“Walang crab mentality, dapat from the barangay officials to the mayor. magtulungan, walang magpa-bida kasi lahat kayo ay bida (Crab mentality should be avoided including credit-grabbin, the barangay officials to the mayor should work hand in hand because all of us should be taking the lead role),” said Laviña.
“The barangay officials should give the farmers the priority to plan for the community because they know more of their needs,” she further.
According to Cherry Sano, Municipal Agriculture Officer of Atok, they already have their Agricultural Strategic Plan for 2016 – 2020 which they just have to update and validate with the farmer associations and align it with current priority development needs.
The plan will be consolidated and evaluated by the province and further validated and reviewed by the DA region with involved stakeholders. Funding for the implementation of the plan will be sourced from the DA, local governments and beneficiaries themselves following agreed counterparting schemes.
The farmers and the officials of La Trinidad and Atok expressed their gratitude to Usec. Laviña for taking her time visiting and inspiring them through her messages.
By Karen T. Gawigawen
