DA-RFU 13 address Irrigators Worry

SURIGAO DEL SUR- “My plan is to rehab every system need of irrigators” said Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit-13 Executive Director Dr. Edna M. Mabeza during the General Assembly and Reorganization meeting and IA review and planning session of Surigao del Sur Irrigator’s Federation (SURIF), Inc. at Muyco’s Resort by the Bay, Tandag City last August 1-2, 2012.

Mabeza talked to the participants about the problems of the farmers in the province. Issues with regards to the price of the harvested products, farm damage and farm cultivation situation of CANCARMADCARLAN area were discussed.

“The DA Secretary Proseso Alcala is serious in the implementation of programs” said Mabeza. The secretary also is in implementation of putting up warehouse, starter seeds and pre and post harvest facilities to help the farmers in their production.

           Mabeza admitted that it is really a struggle in protecting watersheds but she encouraged the concerned farmers that they will help together  to pass a resolution to the President to address the cry of the   Karak-an river as affected by mining and as the primary source of water irrigation for farming in the CARCANMADCARLAN area.

               Linkages to other concern agencies will be made also to answer these serious problems.  “The DA and the government are always willing to listen sincerely to the concern of the farmers” Mabeza added. ###      Jahzeel C. Tubal 

PLGU SDS launches DUMA ordinance

PLGU Surigao del Sur- successfully launched “DUMA” ordinance last June 19, 2012 at Tandag City Social Hall, Capitol Hills, Telaje, Tandag City along its journey to boost organic agriculture and utilization of root crops in the province.

It was participated by representative from National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB), Ms. Emalyn Legal, Ms. Rebecca C. Atega, Regional Organic Agriculture focal person, Congressman Philip A. Pichay, representative of 1^st district, Governor Johnny T. Pimentel and PLGU officials, municipal agriculturist, AEW’s, farmers and stakeholders.

The ordinance was commenced under the initiative of Provincial vice Governor Manuel “Mangi” Alameda and as Committee Chair on agriculture, strongly recommending the consumption of white corn grits, sweet potato (camote), gabi or taro, cassava or balanghoy, ubi and other root crops grown in the vicinity of the province.

“We should utilize these crops to support DA’s food self- sufficiency program and consider also these commodities as an alternate staple for rice”, vice Governor Alameda uttered. “It was my dream to strengthen and implement this ordinance to recognize its health benefits and economic value to farmers and consumers, and not solely dependent on rice consumption.” Alameda added.

According to PhilRoots, who also participated in the said occasion that the province of Surigao del Sur has a potential area for these commodities and comprises bigger plantation areas. But production should also meet with the demand of these crops to the market. Governor Pimentel said,” the availability of supply here in the province is not a problem to look into, it is the appreciation and acceptance of the consumers will be given much attention, let us not consider camote as an attribute for being poor individual”.

The Governor challenged the participants to plant and helps the government for this endeavour and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) under Mr. Marcos M. Quico supervision will oversee its implementing rules and identify possible interventions to sustain this ordinance.

During the discussion, Mr. Quico pointed out his commitments and stretched out the key role of each player on this newly launched ordinance, he also added that “AEW’s and farmers will do their part in the realization of this initiative because the absence of one will result to failure.”

The event provided a lot of information on the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the said ordinance supporting the government’s mandate pursuant to RA 10068, known as “Organic Agriculture Act of 2010”.  ### Japhet C. Sugian- Information Officer/ Farmcaster