Highlighting the importance of forging strong partnerships with the local government units, Agriculture Secretary William Dar called for the commitment from the local chief executives for the effective and efficient implementation of government programs to secure food stability and sufficiency for the entire nation.
“Mahalaga po na mayroon tayong pirmadong kasunduan, dapat ay may ugnayan, at tayo ay pipirma para through thick and thin, highs and lows, lifetime partner tayo,” Sec. Dar explained.
The agri chief made the announcement during the awarding ceremony and distribution of cash and food subsidy, certified seeds and fertilizer, and Payao at Maasim, Sarangani, on February 5, 2021.
During the event, Secretary Dar also underscored the need for farmers and fishers to form into clusters to maximize the benefits of the support from the government.
Under the “One DA” holistic approach, the Department will implement the farm clustering strategy, which is seen to enable the agriculture and fishery sector to attain economies of scale, and achieve cost-efficient production, harvest, processing, and marketing operations subsequently increasing farmers’ and fishers’ incomes.
While in Sarangani, Sec. Dar led the awarding of more than P13-million worth of agricultural and fishery interventions to farmers and fishers of Maasim, Kiamba, and Maitum.
Part of the assistance awarded is the cash and food assistance to a total of 250 marginal farmers and fishers affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Each recipient received P5000-worth of cash and food aid from DA through its regional office in Soccsksargen.
Under the Rice Resiliency Program (RRP), farmers from the municipality of Kiamba received 100 bags of certified seeds while 760 bags of urea fertilizer were awarded to farmers of Maitum.
In addition, 30 units of deep-sea fish aggregating device or Payao were turned over to the members of the Alliance of Tuna Handliners and the Lumasal Tri-People Fishing Organization to aid them in their fishing activities and increase income and profit. ### (Adora Rodriguez, DA AFID)
