Department of Agriculture (DA)-MiMaRoPa Region distributed a total of P 25.1 million worth of farm goods during the Tapatan: Gobyerno at Mamayan with Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Pinol in Brooke’s Palawan on February 16.
Bags of high value crops, assorted vegetable seeds for lowland and upland, rubber, s well as assorted planting materials for rubber, cacao and cashew were given to 14 farmer associations. Bull heads were also given to nine livestock raisers.
Aside from the seeds and planting materials, 168 units of pump and engine were given to13 municipalities of Palawan. The municipalities are the local government unit (LGU) of Bataraza, Brooke’s Point, Sofronio Espanola, Quezon, Narra, El Nido, San Vicente, Dumaran, Araceli, Busuanga, Roxas, Coron, and Taytay. The LGUs of Bataraza, Brooke’s Point Sofronio Espanola, Rizal and Quezon were also given seeds of hybrid corn and certified palay. Some LGUs were also given planting materials and high value crop seeds. A unit of corn-combine harvester was also given to Panay-Maasin-Calasaguen Irrigators Association.
Furthermore, the Secretary also committed additional farm equipment for the farmers and LGUs who requested in the open forum. The extensive distributions of farm machineries are among the Department’s intensive program on improving productivity in the agriculture sector through embarking in various technological advancement.
Mango pulp weevil woes
Mango growers concern on the dreading mango pulp weevil was also addressed during the forum. The Agri Chief assured the growers that DA has their backs in solving this problem.
He promised that DA will provide irradiation machines; mango drying facilities and mango processing equipment, provided that they will have their own association and will implement good agricultural practice. This condition is for the purpose of controlling the infestation in the farm level.
He also said the DA would not allow mango growers to transport their products outside Palawan until the province is declared to be clear of mango pulp weevil.
The Agri Chief also assured them with DA’s full support in making Palawan a world-class mango producer. He proposed to the growers to make processed mango products for export, such as mango puree and dried mangoes, instead of transporting fresh mango outside the province.
“Naisip ko kagabi bakit natin ipagpipilitan na ilabas ang fresh mango sa probinsiya kung pwede natin i-process na. Tutulong po ang Department of Agriculture kung kailangan niyo ng capital, equipment…we will help!” he announced.
