Agri chief vows support to Isabela, Quirino farmers

Ilagan, Isabela (September 1) — The country’s new agriculture department head vowed full support yesterday to farmers in the provinces of Isabela and Quirino considering the great role it play in feeding a great number of the country’s population.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala made this announcement when he made a round of visits to the rice and corn-producing provinces of Cagayan Valley since the other day visiting the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela and tomorrow in Nueva Vizcaya.

Secretary Alcala, once a two-term congressman in Quezon province, said the department will be implementing major programs that will induce agriculture production in the country.

Alcala, who authored R.A 10068 otherwise known as Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, said that the DA under his watch will be embarking on technical transfer or re-skilling of Agricultural Technologists (ATs) in implementing organic farming, providing access to agri-fund through Land Bank of the Philippines (PBP) and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), marketing of farm products, continuity of constructing farm to market roads, irrigation projects, post-harvest facilities and developing mariculture.

The agri chief said that he wants to bring down up to the barangay level and to the farmers the programs and projects of the department and wanted to see that the farmers would feel the effect of the agency’s lined-up programs.

“Consultations with local government units and farmers will be done to know their plights and in that way we could implement accurate programs and projects” the DA chief said.

Secretary Alcala was here as guest speaker on a one-day Farmers Congress held at Isabela Capitol’s Amphitheater attended by local and agriculture officials, agricultural technicians, farmer-leaders, cooperative leaders and other agriculture stakeholders of Isabela and Quirino provinces.

Secretary Alcala will also be visiting Nueva Vizcaya province meeting local and agriculture officials and farmers today. (PIA Isabela)