DA, PLGU Guimaras tackle plans to boost agri, fishery growth
Posted by: RAFIS DA6 | Posted at: April 4, 2024
Key programs and development thrusts for agriculture formed part of the discussion between the Department of Agriculture (DA) Western Visayas and the Guimaras Provincial Government in a meeting held on April 4 at the Agriculture and Fisheries Center in the Municipality of Jordan.
DA Regional Executive Director Dennis Arpia, together with the banner program’s focal persons, the Agricultural Program Coordinating Office (APCO) for Guimaras, and OIC-Chief of the Field Operations Division, convened with Guimaras Governor JC Rahman Nava and his Agricultural Development Team to leverage agricultural interventions, activities, and project implementation.
Provincial Agriculturist (PA) Alvin Nava presented the provincial agricultural profile and priority programs anchored on the three-year development agenda dubbed as “KABATAAN #FIRST,” which stands for Focused tourism, trade, investment, and employment; Integrated Infrastructure development; Responsive healthcare, social welfare, and services; Sustainable local economy; Trusted fiscal and bureaucratic management. This agenda specifically centered on Youth, which comprises 40% of their population.
Guimaras, known for its sweetest mangoes, could venture more into other commodities like fisheries, livestock, poultry, and tourism spots, according to PA Nava.
Director Arpia ensures that all agri programs are aligned with the present administration’s mandates. Local government units are encouraged to make efforts to cluster their Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) in their locality. He stressed that farmers included within the clusters who are members of associations and cooperatives will be prioritized to receive the government’s limited resources.
“We have empowered our provincial offices, particularly the Agricultural Program Coordinating Office, to bring closer and fast-track the delivery of scientific and climate-resilient technologies to our clientele,” he said.
He went on, “Guimaras is more than just mangoes and more. There are more programs and projects we both dream of for this island province that will significantly impact the region and the country.”
The DA-WV chief is optimistic that a strong partnership and constant collaboration among local chief executives can deliver optimum development for the agriculture sector.###JEEOgatis/DA-RAFIS 6
