The Department of Agriculture will construct several agricultural infrastructure projects in Quezon province, initially amounting to P65 million (M), to further prop up the productivity and incomes of farmers, ruralfolk and entrepreneurs.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said the projects include a P45-M farm-to-market road (FMR), a P15-M rice processing complex, and a P5-M small water impounding project (SWIP) in Bgy. Ibabang Talim, Lucena City. The FMR forms part of a planned agro-industrial estate in Quezon.
While in his home province, on February 27, 2013, the DA chief also led the provincial launch of the 'National Year of Rice' or NYR advocacy campaign, starting with a 6-a.m. holy mass at St. Ferdinand Cathedral officiated by Bishop Emilio Marquez.
He also dialogued with thousands of farmers, ruralfolk, students and local government officials during a series of farmers' forum in Lucena, Atimonan and Lopez, where he urged farmers to adopt modern value-chain technologies, from production, processing and marketing.
He cited the success of the Sentrong Pamilihan in Sariaya, Quezon, a wholesale farm center, where farmers are enjoying increased productivity, incomes and standard of living, as several vegetable farm-families have afforded themselves of amenities like new or renovated houses, school tuition fees for their children, and new transport and 4x4 vehicles. He also urged farmers to open up and develop new areas in partnership with the DA and DSWD through the cash-for-work program.
The DA chief also dialogued with the officers and members of the newly-formed Quezon provincial federation of Small Water Impounding Systems Associations (SWISAs), in Lucena City. He acknowledged their continuing efforts and contribution in transforming the province into a major producer of rice, vegetables and other high-value crops. He said the DA will provide needed assistance and training to further strengthen them.
During the farmers' forum, he instructed Philippine Rice Research Institute director Eufemio Rasco, Jr. to field-test salt-tolerant varieties which could be planted in several coastal towns in the province.
On the issue of cutting old coconut trees, Philippine Coconut Authority administrator Euclides Forbes said it could be allowed, provided local government units approve and adopt a municipal resolution to that effect.
During the farmers' forum in every site, Secretary Alcala handed over and raffled off to farmers P2.7-M worth of hand tractors, knapsack sprayers, water pump engine sets, rice harvester-cutters, threshers, draft animals with implements, and Anglo-Nubian breeder bucks. (Bethzaida Bustamante, DA Information Service)
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