Capitol Banks On Farmers For Inclusive Growth

Farmers play a vital role in achieving inclusive growth

With enough skills and logistical support, Capitol officials are banking on the hard work of farmers to start the achievement of its long-term goal of inclusive growth.

Speaking to a more than a hundred new farmer scientists in Alegria town, Governor Hilario P. Davide III challenged them to put to use their newly acquired farming skills.

He said he regarded in high value their certificates of completion from farmer-scientist training program (FSTP).

He also reiterated that farmers are heroes of the land.

At least two schools commissioned the FSTP Research Development Extension Training Program in a Corn-based Production System for Sustainable Agricultural Development.

These are the University of the Philippines-Los Baños and Cebu Technological University.

Provincial Board Member Peter John Calderon said inclusive growth starts with the progress of every Cebuano, including the farmers.

“Ang kalamboan sa mga mag-uuma, kalambuan sa lungsod ug ang kalambuan sa mga lungsod, kalambuan sa tibuok lalawigan,” he stated in his inspirational message for 171 new FSTP graduates in Alegria last April 1.

PB Member Christopher Barricuatro also added that the Provincial Agriculturist Office has the biggest budget among the Capitol departments this year.

He said this indicates that the present administration prioritizes agriculture.

In a separate FSTP graduation in the towns of Catmon and Carmen, Baricuatro said, “Dili mahitabong kalimtan namo ang mga mag-uuma. Naningkamot kami nga ang mga programa moabot jud sa mgakatawhan,” he added.

The local government units support FSTP as well.

Gov. Davide announced that the P1 million financial assistance to be given to LGUs to support FSTP would be released soon.

However, this will be done in tranches. Aside from the financial aid, the Capitol also distributes corn and vegetable seeds and fertilizers and the concreting of farm to market road.

The Provincial Agriculturist Office also established trading centers and drying pavements in the different barangays in the province.

Mayor Verna Magallon said she was pleased that there are more farmer-scientists in Alegria. She said she will work hard to provide enough support to the farmers including irrigation system.

In the experimental fields in Alegria, the highest yield reached up to over five tons per hectare.

FSTP Graduate Juanito Labradilla, a kagawad of Barangay Montpeller said if applied correctly, FSTP could really make a difference.

He said his total farm area, which is over one hectare, yielded 80 kilos of (not yet milled) corn. With the FSTP experiment, one fourth of his total farm area now yielded with the same kilos of corn.

By Xerxes Alkuino

www.cebu.gov.ph