PIDIGAN, Abra(PIA) — The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) is set to launch cotton growing in Abra. PhilFIDA initially geo-mapped a total of 24.95 hectares of farmlands of land owners who signified their interest in pioneering cotton production in the province.
The PhilFIDA has already conducted a training on cotton production technology for the Abrenian farmers at the Mount Carmel Training Center here.
“This is the first part of your training on cotton production. We will be introducing you the cultural practices of managing your cotton plants from land preparation, side-dressing, fertilization, irrigation and harvesting,” said Engr. Gloria Rosario, PhilFIDA regional cotton focal person.
Rosario assured the government’s production and technical support for the farmers amounting to around P21,000 per hectare.
“Sa production support, we will give you complete fertilization requirement, cash assistance, and ‘yong BT cotton na itatanim niyo, imported po, it costs P8,040. We will also aid you in pest management,” Rosario stated.
PhilFIDA emphasized that this cotton growing venture will not only aid local farmers but the local weaving industry in the province providing them access to cotton as locally produced textile material.
Mount Carmel Training Center president Engr. Irene Bringas urged the farmers to capitalize the assistance of the government to bring back cotton farming in Abra.
Mount Carmel Training Center is also included in the geo-mapped areas for the start of production.
“Agmulmula tayo ti cotton idi ngem naisardeng gapwen ta narigat a patauden, ket tatta, isubli tayo ta adda ti tulong ti PhilFIDA kadatayo, kasta metten a matulongan dagiti aga-abel ditoy probinsya tayo,” Bringas said.
[We were planting cotton back in the day but it was stopped because it’s difficult to produce. Today, we must bring it back since there is an assistance from PhilFIDA, also we can help the loom weavers of our province.] (JDP/CAGT, PIA-CAR, Abra)
