Agri-10’s celebration of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s month underscores the local agri-fishery sector and produce.

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — To honor the role of local farmers and fisherfolk in the region’s agricultural development, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) formally staged its celebration of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month on May 15, at the agency compound, in this city.

During the opening ceremony, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan said that the annual celebration is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 33 issued on May 21, 1989 which declares the month of May as the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month.

During which, the DA commemorates and pays tribute to Filipino farmers and fisherfolk for their invaluable contributions to the growth and development of the region’s agri-fishery sector.

RED Pacamalan also encouraged employees of the DA-10 to remain committed in service of the agri-fishery stakeholders, reiterating the Department’s mandate to empower farming and fishing communities.

To further celebrate said key players of the agri-fishery sector, DA-10 through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) also staged a KADIWA ng Pangulo exhibit, where some 11 agri-fishery enterprises and producers from the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon displayed their products for sale at economical prices.

Said exhibitors from Misamis Oriental included HNZ Lumbia Goat’s Milk, Claveria Municipal Federation of Cooperatives, Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperatives, Ganddz Freshwater Fish Farm, Tagoloan Black Rice, and Mindulao Farmers Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative.

From Bukidnon, Valencia City-based chips producer 7K’s Food Products and Bahalinana known for their ‘suka sinamak’ in Kadingilan town also displayed their best-seller products.

In addition, farmers associations from Cagayan de Oro, Tagpuangi Fisherfolk’s Association, Canitoan Farmers Cooperative, and CDO Small Farmers sold various fruits and vegetables as KADIWA exhibitors.

In support of the event were DA-10 Farmer-Director for the month of May, Nilda B. Salas; Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project Deputy Project Director Joel S. Rudinas; and Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 10 (ATI-10) Director Maria Lydia A. Echavez.

Also present were chiefs of various DA-10 divisions, namely: AMAD chief Larry E. Paraluman; Administrative and Finance Division chief Patrick Ian F. Pedarse; Regulatory Division chief Eduardo N. Pit, PhD; and Research Division chief Lorena V. Duna.# (GDA)