VIRAC CATANDUANES. The Department of Agriculture Bicol through the Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation Division, held its first Provincial Consultation Workshop on the updating of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Plan (AFMP) for 2018-2023 in this province on June 26, 2018. The activity is part of the implementation of a medium and long term comprehensive AFMP plan as stated in RA 8435 to address concerns on Food security, poverty alleviation, social equity, income enhancement and profitability particularly farmers & fisher-folk, global competitiveness and sustainability.
Close to 80 participants composed of Agriculture & Fishery Council officials, Farmer and fisherfolk leaders, Municipal Agticulturists, Local Government officials, and representatives from concerned government agencies worked together to come up with a strategic development plan for this province from year 2020 to year 2040. Other officials and guests present during the event were: Joseph Cua Provincial Governor, Carlos Magnaye,DA Director, Planning & Monitoring Services, Nelia Teves, Provincial Agriculturist, Hazel Molod,PSA Catanduanes & Joel Benavidez, BFAR representative.
“Ang Agriculture & Fishery Council (AFC) ay laging kasama sa ganitong activity because their inputs and recommendations are a big thing to DA” said Aloha Gigi Banaria, PMED chief. The share and contribution of the Agriculture & Fishery sector has been declining based on the 2017 economic performance she said. The biggest contribution to our regional economy goes to services or labor productivity with a rate of 57.7%. With this data, let us help one another she said. “Kailangan and tamang implementasyon para maramdaman ng mga farmers, fisherfolks, farm youths at rural women ang ating minimithi na matatag, maginhawa at panatag na buhay para sa lahat” she added.
Carlos Magnaye, Director, Planning & Monitoring Services, DA Central Office said in his message that the AFMP is not only a DA plan. It is a sectoral plan with the help of other agencies. He said that more commodities in this province are subject to value chain, scientific study and government intervention with a time frame till year 2040.
Meanwhile Governor Cua expressed his support on the undertaking. He is positive that the workshop will be productive as determined by the enthusiasm of the participants. He hoped for a sustainable plan “Hindi hangang table lang, sana ma implement” he said.
Major issues/constraints and what interventions are needed on the province’ agriculture and fishery status were discussed during the workshop. A data capture form were provided to identify every commodity (livestock, fisheries, high value crops including vegetable, abaca, coconut, rice & corn). B. Nunez
