Surigao Norte beefs up agri sector amid pandemic

P ovincial News Surigao Norte beefs up agri sector amid pandemic By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales

BUTUAN CITY – To maintain the unhampered production of food supply for the locals, Surigao del Norte continues to boost local agriculture through food production programs initiated by the local officials.

In an interview with Surigao del Norte Provincial Governor Francisco Matugas during today’s Laging Handa Network Briefing with Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Sec. Martin Andanar, the governor bared that they created projects to boost the province’s agriculture amid the pandemic. backyard gardening, urging locals to grow their own food as the health crisis continues. The provincial government has initiated the distribution of seedlings. Idle lots will be used for the said purpose.

Governor Matugas credits the program to the chief of police of General Luna in Siargao Island PCapt. Wise Vicente Panuelos, who initially launched the program in the General Luna town.

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The provincial government is now aiming to have the program implemented across Surigao del Norte.

“I see that the program is very successful hence our goal to have this implemented in the entire province,” the governor added. Apart from the cash assistance provided by the agency to over 1,000 farmers in Surigao del Norte, DA will provide certified seeds and fertilizers through their National Rice Program, which aims to sustain technologybased rice production. Training will also be provided for the farmers.

The provincial government has also allotted P10million to purchase rice produced by local farmers. Governor Matugas added that they have released P2million to purchase harvested rice in case the demand fluctuates. They are also focused on helping local and commercial farmers to support their livelihood. After the “Kadiwa on Wheels,” the department launched the eKadiwa, a digital marketing application to enable the selling of agricultural products online.

The governor also expressed that they are looking forward to establish a local farm tourism.

In addition, local fishing operations are now thriving after a momentary suspension due to the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Caraga region. Siargao Island is now supplying fish and fish products to Surigao City, the province’s mainland. Livestock distribution is also being implemented.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Sec. William Dar lauded the governor for their efforts to amp up their local agriculture. The department is in full support of their initiatives and stated that the DA regional office in Caraga will provide necessary assistance to both their backyard gardening program and livestock distribution, with DA Caraga Regional Executive Assistant Abel Monteagudo facilitating the said initiative. | May 2-8, 2020 30

Sec. Dar has expressed the willingness of the department to help the initiatives in the agriculture sector by local governments to secure the continuous production of food supply. The pandemic has definitely compelled the government further to push for the implementation of the “Plant, Plant, Plant” project.

To ensure effective implementation, they will establish an integrity circle to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the programs.

“The agriculture sector is one of the pillars of our economy. We are doing whatever we can to maintain the movement of our agriculture, from creating food production programs to enhancing transparency and good governance. We wish for our camaraderie to continue to attain success in implementing our projects,” the secretary added. (DMR/ PIACaraga)