In line with the efforts of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to ensure sustainable productivity in food production areas nationwide, Agriculture Secretary William Dar turned over close to P90-million worth of agricultural projects and interventions to farmers’ cooperatives and associations all across the Zamboanga Peninsula (ZamPen).
On February 26, 63 implementing units and people’s organizations based in ZamPen received assistance in the form of planting materials, chicken production modules, capital assistance, and farm vehicles, among others from the DA, through its Region 9 field office.
According to the Secretary, the support is part of the “One DA” holistic approach initiative, which combines all efforts of the Agriculture Department family to accelerate the implementation of projects at the grassroot level.
One DA, which rolled out early this year, puts in effect 12 key strategies through a collaboration of different DA offices. Through this, the government aims to attain a growth target of 2.5 percent this year.
Fishery projects were also awarded, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), including the establishment of seaweed nurseries in Jose Dalman, Sindangan, Sibuco, and Sibutad in the province of Zamboanga del Norte (ZDN) under the Bayanihan II, while various fishers’ groups received fishing gears, postharvest facilities, and a unit of 30-footer fiberglass reinforced plastic boat.
During the awarding ceremonies, a check amounting to P10-million was presented to the Aquatic Ace Corporation under the DA-Agricultural Credit Policy Council’s Expanded SURE Aid and Recovery Project for Micro and Small Enterprises. In his message, the agri chief underscored the importance of forming groups and cooperatives to strongly link with the government to avail of support and assistance to aid them in their agricultural activities and production.
“Cluster and elevate your game, and do your part in producing safe, quality, and accessible food for every Filipino family,” he said.
The Secretary added, that the government will always support food production initiatives through technical and financial assistance, to attain the targeted production increase this year.
In his message, Dar mentioned that the Philippine Rural Development Project and the regional offices of DA and BFAR have allotted more than P1.5 billion in funds for the province of ZDN to finance various agri-fishery projects for the year, via the Provincial Agricultural and Fisheries Extension Systems (PAFES).
Under PAFES, ZDN will serve as an extension hub of DA to synchronize plans and programs of different stakeholders including the DA, municipal and city government units, state universities, private sectors, NGOs, and community-based organizations.
The Department will co- co-plan, co-invest, co-implement, and co-monitor priority projects in the province. ### (Adora Rodriguez, DA-AFID)
