SAN AGUSTIN, PILI, CAMARINES SUR –  Amid the implementation of the Extended  Enhanced Community Quarantine, the Department of Agriculture Bicol is not only  focused on ensuring food  availability and sufficiency  for human consumption but also  feed  sufficiency and availability  for animal consumption.  Thus, the  DA  through  the Corn Program has started distributing  649 bags of corn seeds and 122 bags of fertilizers to farmer cooperators in the provinces of Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Albay who are participating in the techno demonstration and varietal trial of the new corn varieties.  

According to Lorenzo Alvina, Regional Rice and Corn  Coordinator, said corn seeds will be tested  for their adaptability to specific conditions  and their climate  suitability to  specific locations in the region.  The result of the trials will be the basis for recommending mass production of said new corn  varieties in particular areas in the region.

Aside from the productions inputs, DA Bicol also provided technical assistance  through briefing on production technology to the  corn farmers participating in the  techno demo and  field trials.  But this is being done  in strict observance of the  physical distancing  and other protocols prescribed  under the ECQ .

Meanwhile, in support to corn farmers in  Barangay Mangiring Calabanga, Camarines Sur (with physical area of more or less 4,000 has.) who were also among the most affected by the enhanced community quarantine, the DA extended assistance by lending out to  corn farmers  mechanized harvesters which  lessened labor cost and sped up the harvesting process. (B. Nunez with Ailene Babelonia)