Gov’t focuses on farmers, rural development
FARMERS in Pangasinan can now expect more help from the government as the National Convergence Initiative (NCI), which aims to develop and operationalize a common framework for sustainable rural development, goes full speed.
Launched a year ago, the NCI puts together the resources of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to give more focus on development efforts in the countryside.
One of the first projects under the NCI is the provision of alternative livelihoods to tobacco farmers who will be affected by the expected decline in tobacco production due to the implementation of the Anti-Smoking Law.
In Pangasinan, more farmlands have been targeted for tobacco farming over the years.
REFORESTATION
The National Greening Program targets the planting of 1.5 billion trees in some 1.5 million hectares by 2016 of coffee, cacao, mango and durian identified as “reforestation species”.
DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said these species were chosen as suited for the convergence tree-planting campaign “to integrate the people, their economy, and their environment”.
He said that all the earnings from these fruit-bearing species will go directly to the upland farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries or to communities.
The three agencies will help farmers and communities put up cooperatives and support their postharvest phases.
This year, the DA allocated P50 million for the rehabilitation of the Philippine coffee industry to regain the country’s status as one of the major coffee producers in the world.
TRADE FAIR
Meanwhile, the NCI has organized the 1st Agrikultura Trade Fair (ATF) to be held June 24-26, 2011 at SM Megatrade Halls 2 and 3 in Mandaluyong.
The fair aims to foster income for farmers and generate jobs in the rural areas. This is a synchronized effort to link farmers with the market, and improve their products by creating strategic marketing programs.
Also, activities to improve the farmers’ products, investments, and linkages will be conducted through fora, dialogue sessions and lectures. (RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)
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