The Department of Agriculture (DA) awarded more than P300 (M) million worth of interventions to the Province of Abra during the Kawayan (Bamboo) Festival and Farmers’ Day celebration on March 7, 2020, at the Abra Sports Complex in Bangued.

Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar and Senator Imee Marcos led the distribution of agricultural interventions to the provincial local government units (LGUs), agricultural extension workers, and farmers and fisherfolk associations from the 27 municipalities of the province.

“Hindi tayo sumusuko dahil ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda ay dapat pagsilbihan natin ng tunay kasi gusto natin na sila ay yayaman na rin (We will not stop because we have to truly serve the farmers ang fisherfolk for them to become prosperous),” Secretary Dar said in response to the multiple concerns currently faced by the agriculture sector.

During the event, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Cordillera Regional Field Office (RFO) provided farm inputs including hybrid rice seeds and fertilizers, farm machinery and equipment, animal drugs and biologics, livestock, infrastructure, facilities, and incentives, among others. These interventions, funded through various DA Banner Programs and Special Projects, amounted to P264.33M

The DA Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) also allocated a total of P5.13M for various projects in Abra to be implemented for the year.

In addition, Secretary Dar committed P31M to develop the bamboo-making industry in the province and directed the DA-RFO to “promote in a big way the kawayan industry” and support the LGU’s agri-tourism and innovation center.

“We will always strengthen our partnership with the local government units to pursue various projects for the development of the agriculture sector,” Secretary Dar said.

Concurrently serving as the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security for the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Secretary Dar said he will also prioritize projects for insurgents whose concerns could be rooted in poverty and lack of opportunities.

To convince the younger generation to be involved in farming and revive the agriculture sector, Secretary Dar also presented the various financial programs of the DA that young Abrenians could avail.

Senator Marcos expressed her support to Secretary Dar and committed to helping lobby for a higher budget for the agriculture sector. ### (Gumamela Celes Bejarin, DA-AFID)