Anchored on the overall vision of a Philippine agri-fisheries sector that enables local communities to manage climate risks while pursuing sustainable livelihoods, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office No. 02 (DA RFO 02), through the Climate Change–Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (CC-AMIA) Program and Rice Program, in cooperation with the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) and Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), held a seminar on rice production technologies highlighting the Palay Check System among the 35 farmer-cooperators of the AMIA Village in Calamegatan, Buguey, Cagayan on September 30-October 1, 2021.
This activity introduced to the farmer-cooperators the technologies that are adaptable to their location for them to be able to avert the effects of risks and hazards brought about by natural disasters, especially salt water intrusion in their rice fields. As they gradually adopt such appropriate technology, the farmers are expected to finally realize increased adaptive capacity to climate risks and hazards resulting to not only self-resiliency but community resiliency.
One of the Rice Specialists of DA RFO 02, Engr. Maria Lourdes Mundoc, presented the best key technologies and management practices in the Key Check which will help farmers improve their crop management practices while increasing their adaptability to climate risks.
Mr. Nelson Corla, Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) Regional Focal Person, presented the credit programs that may be availed of by the Villagers from their office. Financial services, such as credit and financing schemes, enable farmers to have capital, invest in farm mechanization, or build farm and community structures. These financing schemes also encourage the participation of women in agricultural and livelihood activities.
Moreover, Ms. Ma. Concepcion Ventura, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) staff, explained to the villagers the process on how to avail their services, and how crop insurance will help address agricultural risks.
The relevant features of the CC-AMIA Program, highlighting its different components and the practices that may be adopted by the farmers in line with the department’s objective of attaining a climate-resilient and progressive Philippine agriculture and fisheries sector were presented by Ms. Kay S. Olivas, AMIA Project Leader. Moreover, Ms. Precilla Tang, Municipal Agriculture Office staf,f and barangay officials of the agri-fishery community headed by Brgy. Captain Hon. Jefferson Arellano expressed their gratitude and support to the department as it endeavors to attain the worthwhile goals of the program.
# story from Sheena Jane F. Sunio