Dr. Pamugas urges co-workers in agri to take the lead in farming

Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas urged anew his co-employees at the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) to be the inspiration of Boholano farmers.
Dr. Pamugas made the call during the general assembly of OPA on April 29, 2019, usually conducted every last Monday of the month.
He said that since we are working in the agriculture line agency it behooves that we serve as idols among farmers and agri-stakeholders most especially nowadays that the number of farmers is decreasing.
Pamugas said we need to practice our profession and share our expertise in farming.
As we are experiencing dry spell which is difficult to grow plants, we have to focus on livestock, fish cages or intercropping to make sure that we can feed the 1.3 million Boholanos and 1.8 million tourists in the province.
He said that every employee must have at least containerized or backyard gardening.
Meanwhile, Pamugas expressed apprehension that some Boholano farmer entrepreneurs would face serious livelihood loss in the full implementation of the Rice Tariffication Act.
In the rice importation liberalization, the cheap imported rice from Thailand and Vietnam would come into the country and the Filipinos would no longer buy locally produced rice resulting to eventual collapse of rice industry among Boholano farmer businessmen.
Locally produced rice couldn’t compete the cheaper prices of imported rice because in Thailand and Vietnam their production costs are lower compared to the Philippines.
Bohol has maintained its title as “Rice Basket” in Central Visayas of which the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through Gov. Edgar M. Chatto is very grateful to the Boholano farmers. (Atoy Cosap)