AMIA Villages gather for MCRARP 4th Quarter Meeting in Iloilo City
Posted by: RAFIS DA6 | Posted at: November 28, 2024
Representatives from 21 AMIA (Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture) Villages across Western Visayas convened for the 4th Quarter Meeting of the Mainstreaming Climate Resilient Agriculture in Regional Programs (MCRARP).
The AMIA Villages represented were from:
- Aklan: Banga, Numancia, and Batan
- Antique: Valderrama, Sibalom, and Anini-y
- Capiz: Pontevedra, Panit-an, and Dao
- Guimaras: Sibunag and San Lorenzo
- Iloilo: Banate, Estancia, San Rafael, and Bingawan
- Negros Occidental: Pontevedra, Cauayan, Sagay City, Toboso, and Valladolid
The two-day event showcased the achievements and challenges of AMIA Villages in establishing climate-resilient agricultural communities.
DA-6 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Zarlina B. Cuello commended the Villages for their commitment to sustainable agriculture. “Farmers play a crucial role in ensuring food security for future generations. AMIA Villages must lead by example, sharing their innovative practices with neighboring communities,” Cuello said.
Regional AMIA Focal Carmelita Fantilanan highlighted the need for continuous innovation. She reminded the attendees not to remain complacent with the initial project support but to enhance and improve existing technologies. “Regular reporting and monitoring are essential to measure progress and identify areas for improvement,” she added.
The meeting presented the status of ongoing projects, including native chicken production, goat farming, vegetable production, system rice intensification, and natural farming systems. The AMIA Villages also shared the positive impacts of these initiatives on their communities:
- Enhanced food security
- Reduced farming costs
- Additional income for households
- Strengthened collaboration among farmers and associations
- Increased awareness of climate resilience
- Improved market access for value-added products
Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division Chief Ma. Teresa Solis praised the Villages’ utilization of Kadiwa outlets to market fresh produce, ensuring economic opportunities for farmers while promoting local food systems.
The meeting also saw participation from various DA units, including the Corn Program, Regional Agricultural Engineering Division, Regional Soils Laboratory, Regional Crop Protection Center and the Research Division. These teams provided technical insights and explored potential collaborations to further strengthen AMIA initiatives.
Looking forward, the meeting also served as a platform for strategic planning for 2025, focusing on scaling innovations and maintaining the momentum of climate-resilient practices.
The AMIA Villages reaffirmed their commitment to becoming models of resilience and sustainability in agriculture, paving the way for a food-secure and climate-adaptive future.
