Keeping the Municipal and City Agriculturists in the four provinces of Ilocos Region updated on the agri-development programs and projects, the Department of Agriculture in Ilocos Region through its Field Operations Division (FOD) met with its counterparts in the local government units for a two-day consultation and briefing in Bolinao, Pangasinan on April 11-12, 2023.
Led by DA-RFO I Regional Executive Director Annie Bares, FOD presented DA’s thrusts and socio-economic agenda and raised issues and concerns in the implementation of various programs and projects.
In her message, RED Bares reiterated her request for the municipal and city agriculture offices to complement the DAs efforts in all its undertakings towards achieving the goals and objectives on food sufficiency, accessibility, affordability and safety.
“Kung kami lang, di namin talaga ito magagawa at maiimplement. Dahil nandiyan kayo, ang aming mga collaborators at partners sa implementation ng programs and projects, ay taos puso kaming nagpapasalamat sa inyo,” said RED Bares.
Mentioning about the challenges that the sector met aside from the Covid-19 pandemic such as food inflation, high cost of inputs due to the Ukraine-Russia conflict, climate change and the high incidence of pests and animal diseases, she encouraged the LGU-aggie heads to sustain all efforts to increase the agricultural yield and production performance in the region.
Moreover, RED Bares emphasized that clustering will be used as major approach to improve the average yield of all sectors.
“Iyong modality natin ngayon is through clustering. Iyong Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation Program (F2C2) to maximize the economy of scale. Iyon na ang patutunguhan natin,” RED Bares added.
F2C2 strategy will be adopted in the rice, corn, high value crops and livestock banner programs.
To further intensify the region’s efforts in monitoring the implemented programs and projects, RED Bares requested the MAOs and CAOs to provide regular report on the status of project implementation to maximize all services intended for the farmer beneficiaries.
