To enable robust agriculture development in the communities, the Department of Agriculture (DA) turned over various machineries and farm inputs to the local farmers and fishers of the island-province of Bohol on June 4, 2021.
The efforts seal the commitment of the DA to forge and strengthen allies with the local government units which will be the “rowers” of agricultural modernization.
During his visit in Bohol, Agriculture Secretary William Dar led the distribution of more than P388 million (M) agri-fishery projects, equipment, farm inputs, and indemnity checks, among others to individual food producers and farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs).
The assistance forms part of the interventions provided by the department under its “OneDA” holistic approach, which combines the support of all agencies under DA.
The interventions include P25M for livestock development under the National Livestock Program, P5.6M fishery enhancement projects from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, P17M coconut livelihood program under the Philippine Coconut Authority, and P44M for the soil management initiative and small water impounding project under the Bureau of Soils and Water Management.
The Philippine Rural Development Project also awarded a total of P2.9M to upgrade the province’s dairy production, while a total of P40.2M indemnity checks were distributed under the Philippine Crops Insurance Corporation.
The DA Regional Field Office in Central Visayas also awarded livelihood projects, as well as extension and support services courtesy of its banner programs amounting to P45M.
A total of P209M-worth of farm machineries were turned over to FAs from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd district of Bohol as part of the mechanization component of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).
The equipment aims to raise rice farmers’ productivity, profitability and global competitiveness.
According to Secretary Dar, RCEF’s mechanization program aims to provide access to appropriate production and postproduction mechanization technologies to ultimately increase production and income of Filipino rice growers.
Prior to the turnover of interventions, the agri chief named Bohol as the second province to pilot the implementation of the Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Systems.
“Consider DA as your true partner in development,” Secretary Dar said ensuring Bohol’s local government officials that the national agency will continue to provide support and assistance to uplift the local agri-fishery sector, and improve gains and income of the farmers and fishers.
The DA chief seeks to showcase the strong partnership between DA and the province of Bohol, to enable other local government units to follow suit and work together with the national agency to bring the programs to the grassroot level.
“Asahan po ninyo na tutulong kami tungo sa pagpapaunlad ng inyong lalawigan,” he said.
Rice farmer Michelle Sajulga of Balili, Jagna, Bohol, who spoke on behalf of all the recipients, thanked DA and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization for the modernized machineries distributed.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa ipinagkaloob ninyong mga makinarya sa mga magsasaka ng Bohol, dahil sigurado pong mapapataas namin ang aming kita at ani dahil dito,” she said. ### (Adora Rodrigiez, DA-AFID)
