The Department of Agriculture is positive that with the right tools, farm production will improve and farmers will increase income and reduce cost of production.
As such, the government continues to provide support and assistance to the agriculture sector to empower and strengthen the capabilities of all stakeholders.
Last February 22, 2016, Agri chief Proceso J. Alcala spearheaded the distribution of more than P55-million (M) worth of projects and farm equipment to farmers’ and irrigators’ association in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur.
Among the projects that were turned-over include the P15M rehabilitation project for Pinsal SWIP to Burayok ti Pinsal Farmers Association, P2M DA-Philmech funded tramline to Baballasioan Farmers’ Association and P2M grain silo to the Federated Rice and Corn Association.
Alcala also awarded 15 units of pump and engine sets (10 units of 3" x 3" Gasoline Engine and 5 units of 2" x 2" Gasoline Engine), 15 heads of carabao with farm implements, 3 sets of native swine module and 10 sets of goats (buck).
In his message, the Secretary said that the government will continue to provide assistance to farmers for their production and post-production needs. “Ang nais po natin hindi lamang mapababa ang production cost ninyo, kundi i-capacitate kayo upang maging entrepreneurs,” he said.
The Secretary said that aside from providing inputs and assistance packages to farmers, the DA is providing training and extension works so that farmer groups can be service providers.
“Hindi lang po kayo basta magtatanim, kayo din po ang magbibigay ng serbisyo sa mga katulad ninyong magsasaka. Sa gayon, mas malaking oportunidad at kita ang maghihintay sa inyo,” he said to members of organized association.
During the same event, the provincial government of Ilocos Sur also received 10,000 packs of High Yielding Technology Adoption(HYTA) Hybrid Seeds (5kg/pack), 750 bags of HQS for Adverse Eco-System Certified Seed (40 kg/bag), 50 bags of Green Super Rice (20kg/bag), 180 cans of assorted vegetable seeds, 500 pcs of garden tools, 1 unit of mobile grain dryer, 1 unit of rice seed storage, 1 mini 4WD- tractor, 1 mechanical planter, 3 units of multiplier farm, 1 unit of hand tractor, 1 unit of thresher, 2 units of pump and engine sets (diesel), 150 units of farmalite, 2 units of collapsible dryer case, and 3 units of electric water pumps.
The DA chief also recognized the municipality of Sta. Maria for being highest producer of corn food grain in the country.
“Mabuhay po kayong lahat dahil patuloy kayong nakikiisa sa mga programa ng pamahalaan para mapataas at mapatatag ang ekonomiya sa mga kanayunan,” he said.
He also praised the Municipality for reaching 181% rice sufficiently level in 2015 despite the onslaught of El Nino phenomenon.
Alcala also applauded the scholars of Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) in the province. Base po sa datos, marami ng kabataan ang nagnanais na magsaka at mangisda,” he said.
According to a Philippine Statistics Authority report, the current average age of farmers is 43 years old. “Mas bata po kumpara sa average age ng ating mga magsasaka noong 2010 na 57,” he said. # Source - (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)/www.da.gov.ph
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