DA-10 spearheads the conduct of an InfoCar, at the same time highlighting discussions on soil health.

 

Mambajao, Camiguin – Consistent with its effort in upholding sustainable agricultural development in the region, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) rallied soil health promotion in Camiguin province during its Information Caravan on July 25.

Such a cause is consistent with the provincial government’s effort in boosting the island province’s agriculture sector through organic farming in light of the organic agriculture ordinance recently passed by the province.

In his message, Governor Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo stressed his administration’s vision in making Camiguin a self-sustaining province capable of producing sufficient and safe food for its residents.

“One way [to boost the agriculture sector] is by going organic. If we refrain from using chemical, synthetic fertilizer, soil health will never be an issue,” he said, emphasizing the benefits of organic products to human health as well as the economic premium in producing such products.

Citing the DA and the provincial government’s combined support, the governor also urged Camiguin farmers to expand the production of livestock commodities such as eggs, chicken, cattle and goat in the island.

As part of the caravan, farmer-leaders and personnel of the municipal and provincial agriculture offices were apprised on the regional soil laboratory services of the DA-10 as well as practical soil nutrient management methodologies for optimal crops production.

The farmers were also briefed on the adverse effects of La Niña and appropriate mitigating measures against La Niña-related animal and crop diseases.

Similarly, the farmers were kept abreast with the Philippine Crop Insurance, Corp. (PCIC) insurance programs, Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) program.

Primarily, the Information Caravan is an interactive information drive for the DA-10 to update the farmers of the various programs and projects of the DA, and consolidate farmers’ feedback and issues and concerns from the ground for appropriate abetting measures.

The undertaking is also an avenue for the DA-10 to advocate digital agriculture system while campaigning for active youth involvement in the agriculture sector in the five provinces of Northern Mindanao.# (ATT)