Gov't to boost coconut, coffee, cacao in Caraga
Director Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant and Industry (DA-BPI) attended the ceremonial turnover, together with Regional Executive Director, Engr. Ricardo OΓ±ate Jr.; Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) chairperson Christopher Lindo; Coconut Production and Regulation Officer, Ernalyn Colon; Mayor Grace Carmel Paredes-Bravo of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur; and Gio Fortun, representing the Office of Senator Cynthia Villar.
Panganiban is also the concurrent director of the High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) and the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP);
As part of the implementation of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) spearheaded by the Philippine Coconut Authority (DA-PCA), the Calamba Farmers Association, as beneficiary received the amount of P10 million intervention under the Coconut Based Coffee and/or Cacao Enterprise Development Project (C3EDP).
The said assistance covers the provision for farm improvements through diversification or intercropping with coconut and cacao, including the processing facility, nursery, machinery and equipment, and other planting materials.
During the event, the Calamba FA also received 3,000 pieces of cacao planting materials, 700 kilos of organic fertilizer, and 5,000 trees for technology demonstrations for cacao rehabilitation to boost cacao production in Cabadbaran City.
Meanwhile, P8 million worth of Cacao Community-Based Development Enterprise was turned over to the National Guthrie Plantation Inc. Multi-Purpose Cooperative (NGPI MPC) of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.
The amount will cover agricultural inputs, facilities, equipment, and training funded through the High-Value Crops Development Program.
Dir. OΓ±ate recognized the efforts of the farmers and pointed out that DA-Caraga is open to any initiatives for the development of the agricultural sector.
"I salute all our farmers. We will never achieve food security without them. So, whatever is doable, may it be a short, medium, or long-term plan, we are open to trying anything, especially now that we have our sites on expanding and developing our coconut, coffee, and cacao agricultural sector," OΓ±ate said. (DA Caraga/PIA Caraga)
