MAMBAJAO, Camiguin (PIA) — Consistent with its effort to uphold sustainable agricultural development in the region, the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office (DA-RFO)-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 to boost the island province’s agriculture sector through organic farming in light of the organic agriculture ordinance recently passed by the province.
Gov. Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo stressed his administration’s vision of 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 or 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.
The governor also urged Camiguin farmers to expand their production of livestock commodities on the island, such as eggs, chicken, cattle, and goats, citing the DA and the provincial government’s combined support.
The caravan provided information on the regional soil laboratory services of the DA-10 and practical soil nutrient management methodologies for optimal crop production to farmer-leaders and personnel of the municipal and provincial agriculture offices.
The farmers were also briefed on the adverse effects of La Niña and appropriate mitigating measures against La Niña-related animal and crop diseases.
The farmers also received updates on the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) insurance programs, the 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 on the various programs and projects of the DA, and consolidate farmers’ feedback, issues, and concerns from the ground for appropriate abetting measures.
The undertaking serves as a platform for the DA-10 to promote a digital agriculture system and encourage active youth involvement in the agriculture sector across the five provinces of northern Mindanao. (DA-10/PIA-10/Camiguin)
