KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) — The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Region 12 is enhancing its efforts to empower local farmers in the Soccsksargen region through comprehensive institutional development programs.
During the 22nd episode of Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, NIA Regional Manager Diosdado A. Rosales highlighted the agency’s commitment to helping Irrigators Associations (IA) to become viable, strong, and self-reliant organizations.
“Aside from building irrigation infrastructures, nakafocus din tayo sa ating mga farmers meron tayong institutional development department sila talaga ‘yung in-charge sa (we are also focused on our farmers; we have an institutional development department, and they are really in charge of) organization and capacity building ng ating mga farmers (of our farmers),” Rosales explained.
He said NIA’s institutional development training goes beyond simply organizing farmer-beneficiaries.
NIA provides IAs with comprehensive training and seminars to enhance their knowledge, skills, and attitudes in managing irrigation systems effectively.
“Kahit gaano kaganda ang ating mga irigasyon, kung hindi ito inaalagaan ng ating mga farmers at IAs walang mangyayari sa investment ng gobyerno, kaya never ending ang ating mga trainings at capacity building kahit weekends,” the official added.
(No matter how good our irrigation systems are, the government’s investment will be in vain if our farmers and IAs do not take care of them. That’s why our training and capacity-building sessions never end—even on weekends.)
From 2022 to 2023, IAs from Region 12 consistently received national awards, demonstrating the success of their initiatives and their efficiency.
Praising the IA’s achievements, Rosales then urged farmers to participate in enhancing initiatives, ensuring continued support and assistance for associations in the region. (SZT – PIA Region 12)
