After its approval last year by the National Convergence Initiative on Sustainable Rural Development (NCI-SRD) principals, the Agro-Forestry Abundance and Productivity using Integrated Technologies through Barangay-based Agricultural Ventures and Advancement (AGAPIT-BAVA) – Convergence Area Development Plan (CADP) is already set for full implementation starting this 2020.
In its 1st Quarter Business Meeting held today, January 21, 2020, at the House of Representatives, Quezon City, hosted by Congresswoman Samantha Louise Vargas Alfonso, staunch advocate and supporter of AGAPIT BAVA, member agencies of the Regional Convergence Initiative on Sustainable Rural Development 02 (RCI-SRD 02) had presented their current year activities and targets onwards.
In her message, Congresswoman Alfonso encouraged the member agencies to continue their initiatives and realize the CADP’s vision of uplifting the economic lives of farmers and fishers through convergence.
“As your representative, I give my all-out support through budget lobbying and if there is a need to sponsor related bills to ensure that all interventions stated in the CADP will be addressed,” she said.
The neophyte lawmaker also assured the member agencies that her office should finance the formulation of a Master Development Plan as a guide for full swing implementation.
“Aside from this, we will also fund the establishment of other facilities within the proposed Integrated Agricultural Food Park (IAFP) starting this 2020.”
Also, she thanked the agencies that already implemented their interventions to the covered municipalities of Abulug, Pamplona, Claveria, and Sta. Praxedes.
“We must try to radiate operation and determine not only the needs of the mentioned municipalities but also Sanchez Mira being the host town of our SUC partner, Cagayan State University.”
It was agreed that the masterplan should be completed and approved by April 2020 after a series of write shops to be attended by all concerned stakeholders.
The IAFP shall be erected within the old site of CSU at Nagbaranganan, Sanchez Mira, Cagayan.
The 75 ha. area is proposed to become a one-stop site for agricultural post-production and processing and marketing of agriculture-based food products from the covered CADP municipalities.
The meeting was presided over by Regional Executive Director Narciso A. Edillo of DA-Regional Field Office No. 02 (DA-RFO 02) as Regional Chair and Lead Convenor of RCI-SRD 02.
He took the time to discuss the eight paradigms of the New Thinking in Agriculture initiated by Secretary William D. Dar.
Edillo said that it is essential to align the convergence initiatives to the shared vision of DA and AGAPIT BAVA to turn farmers and fishers more productive.
“The Office of the President is also monitoring the national convergence initiatives, so there is a need for us to work hard as one,” he equipped.
Among the attendees are regional heads and officials of DA, DAR, DENR, DILG, DOT, DPWH, DTI, BFAR, NIA, CSU Sanchez Mira, and NCI-SRD represented by NCI Senior Adviser, Director Oscar Parawan.
