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Tigbauan, Iloilo lauches 1st farmers and fisherfolk week to highlight food producers’ contributions

Posted by: RAFIS DA6 | Posted at: October 10, 2023

Aiming to highlight the significant role of farmers in ensuring food production and security, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tigbauan, Iloilo kicked of the 1st Farmers and Fisherfolks Week, running from October 9 to 13, 2023.
With this year’s theme “Mangunguma kag Mangingisda Maghiliusa para sa Mainuswagon nga Banwa,” Tigbauan focuses on demonstrating the resilience of its agricultural community in the face of challenges, including the African Swine Fever (ASF) and rising agricultural prices.
Tigbauan Mayor Atty. Virgilio Teruel
During the opening ceremony on October 9, Tigbauan Mayor Atty. Virgilio Teruel expressed gratitude to the town’s farmers for their dedication and perseverance. Despite the ASF threat, they have continued to contribute significantly to the town’s food security. He called for unity among farmers and fisherfolks to ensure a more abundant future for the community.
Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer for Iloilo Province and Senior Agriculturist Gareth Bayate urged farmers to form clusters. He emphasized that clustering would facilitate government assistance, making it more accessible to farming communities.
During the “Hinun-anon” session, DA-WV Regional Information Officer James Earl Ogatis echoed Bayate’s message, underscoring the importance of collaboration and consolidation as the DA’s strategy for achieving food security in the country.
The event also provided a venue for agricultural and fishery stakeholders to engage with various government agencies, including the Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Food Authority (NFA), Philippine Crop Insurance Program (PCIC), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Iloilo Office Provincial Agriculture (OPA), National Dairy Authority (NDA), and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). These agencies presented their programs and services, addressing inquiries related to farming activities and productivity.
The 1st Farmers and Fisherfolks Week in Tigbauan, Iloilo, serves as a demonstration to the resilience and unity of farmers and fisherfolks in addressing challenges in agriculture. As the celebration continues, Tigbauan looks forward to a future where its agricultural and fishing communities prosper, ensuring a sufficient food supply for its residents.### Texts by  Myleen S. Subang & Joan N. Capaciete/DA-RAFIS 6 | Photos by  Jerem V. De Guzman/DA-RAFIS 6)