Barbaza, Antique commemorates “Kabuganaan festival” to boosts town’s food sufficiency

Barbaza, Antique, recently celebrated its farmers and fisherfolks day, honoring their vital role in the town’s economy and food security. Around 800 people gathered during the “Kabuganaan” festivity to recognize the significant contributions of the farmers.

At the event, Antique Provincial Agriculturist Nicolasito Calawag commended the Barbaza farmers for their dedication and successful harvests, showcasing Barbaza’s growing agricultural strength.

He also lauded the LGU’s initiatives for maintaining its status as African Swine Fever (ASF)-free and achieving self-sufficiency in rice production.

Meanwhile, DA-WV Assistant Agricultural Provincial Coordinating Office (APCO) Antonio Montenegro echoed PA Calawag’s concerns highlighting collaborative efforts to strengthen Barbaza’s agricultural resilience. 

Asst. APCO Montenegro outlined the DA’s support for Barbaza’s farming community. He provided updates on the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) program and discussed strategies to address the impact of the El Niño phenomenon on agriculture. Furthermore, Montenegro stressed to farmers the importance of setting aside a part of their harvests for their families’ consumption, particularly during this challenging period of El Niño.

In acknowledgment of the farmers’ significant role in ensuring food security, the DA-WV distributed farm tools such as spades and hoes, as well as assorted vegetable seeds which are essential in improving farming activites and advancing sustainable crop cultivation practices in Barbaza.

Marilou Bernabe, a member of Magtulis Farmers Association from Barangay Magtulis, Barbaza, is among the participants of the gathering. She relies on farming as her sole source of income, growing various crops like ube, gabi, sweet potato, peanuts, bananas, eggplants, and pole sitao. According to Bernabe, the celebration provided her with an opportunity to sell her farm produce and earn income. She also highlighted the value of learning from her fellow farmers gaining insights into best practices for improving her farming techniques.

The town’s Farmers and Fisherfolks Day celebration was more than just a gathering. It demonstrated the significance of farmers and fishers in shaping the town’s agricultural abundance. Through government’s support, Barbaza underscored its commitment to fostering a resilient and sustainable agricultural community, paving the way for a progressive future in farming. ### Texts by: MSSubang | Photos by: VNQuimpo & AMSTabura/DA-RAFIS 6