Participants to the Cavite Agri-Fest/Farmers Congress witnessed the outpouring of support of local government officials for the province’s agricultural sector.
The Cavite Agri-Fest/Farmers’ Congress, held on January 20 at the Provincial Gymnasium of Trece Martires City, bore the theme “Organikong pagsasaka tungo sa maunlad na agrikultura”.
The Cavite State University (CvSU), Cavite Modern Growers Incorporated (CMGI), and other selected agencies hosted the event that gathered heads of different state universities and colleges, government agencies, local government units of 23 municipalities, and an estimated 1,000 farmers and fisherfolks of Cavite.
During the program, Cavite Governor Juanito Victor Remulla, Jr. handed over a brand new tractor to the officers and members of the CMGI. High quality planting materials, fingerlings, and livestock such as goats, pigs, and native chickens were also distributed to participating farmers and fisherfolks.
Recognizing the dwindling enrolment in agriculture courses, the governor announced that in partnership with CvSU, he is providing tuition fee assistance to those interested in pursuing a degree in agriculture. Dr. Divina Chavez, CvSU prexy, confirmed the governor’s pronouncement.
Aside from the governor’s support, Deputy Speaker and 7th District of Cavite Congressman Jesus Crispin Remulla gave CvSU P15 million for the operations of CvSU’s banana tissue culture lab. The donation is seen as the speaker’s contribution to the advancement of the province’s banana industry.
For its part, PCARRD, through Dr. Arturo A. Argañosa, officer-in-charge of the Technology Outreach Promotion Division in behalf of Executive Director Patricio S. Faylon, handed some of the Council’s publications in support of the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) centers established in Trece Martires and Maragondon.
In his message, Argañosa acknowledged the strong collaborative and cooperative efforts of CvSu and the Southern Tagalog Agriculture Resources Research and Development Consortium (STARRDEC) in bringing about agricultural modernization in the province.
He also mentioned the activities carried out by PCARRD in cooperation with STARRDEC and CvSU, namely: implementation of the banana project through Magsasaka Siyentista Edilberto Silan, also CMGI’s prexy; implementation of the Science and Technology-based Farm project on carabao milk; assistance to the processing center of the General Trias Multi-Purpose Cooperative; and the establishment of the FITS centers in CvSU, Trece Martires, and Maragondon.
Meanwhile, Joel S. Rudinas, undersecretary for regional operations of the Department of Agriculture (DA), affirmed the continuing support of DA to the farmers and fisherfolks in improving and sustaining increased food production in Cavite.