Agripreneurs’ forum set March 27
Some 3,000 farmers, fishers, farmers’ organizations/cooperatives and growers/processors/entrepreneurs who are producing and processing food for the entire populace in Bohol will gather on March 27, 2019 in an Agripreneurs/Stakeholders Forum to be held at the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)7 covered court, Purok 4, Dao, Tagbilaran City.
Rosanna G. Lamdagan, head-Agribusiness Division – Office of the Provincial agriculturist (OPA) said the forum aims to strengthen agribusiness in order to increase income; to update agri-stakeholders on latest major areas of concern affecting the industry; to identify major issues and concerns affecting operations of different livelihood projects in relation to the stakeholders’ prospective; to formulate immediate solutions to major enterprise problems; to market test newly developed products; and to generate sales.
The expected participants are the farmers/ entrepreneurs for both crops, livestocks, fisheries and all stakeholders which considered as the “backbone of the nation,” the indispensable partners in the national farming venture for economic recovery, that would be parts in dealing with some major issues on concerns and identifying solutions to major enterprise problems.
The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) entrusted the OPA through the Agribusiness Division in developing Farmers Rural Based Organizations and Cooperatives to be partners in the agribusiness development program in partnership with other line agencies such as; Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in implementing small livelihood projects.
In a meeting called by Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas together with the heads of the different divisions of the OPA and Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) last Tuesday in his office, they identified the three major issues and concerns to be taken up in a whole day activity: Rice Tarrification Law; African Swine – Fever and DA-Credit Programs.
Provincial Veterinarian Stella Marie D. Lapez said the African Swine -Fever is a big threat to swine industry due to its 100% mortality because there is no treatment or no preventive vaccination available if affected.
According to Dr. Lapez this fever that long time affected the swine industry and already contained in Africa is now affecting the 15 countries worldwide to include Mongolia, Vietnam and China of which the latter has been greatly affected that poses danger the swine industry in the country.
She said the Philippines ranked no. 8 worldwide in terms of volume of meat products while China is ranked number 1.
Dr. Lapez said the DA is now implementing the ban for importation of live animals and pork-based meat products from those affected countries.
Although no importation of live animals and raw meat from China but the DA has been very careful about the entry of processed meat that would possibly bring by the travelling tourists and likewise through the travelling tourists if not sanitized well their shoes through the foot baths at the ports.
She said this fever wouldn’t affect human health but would greatly affect swine industry because of the virus’ high survival for about 300 days.
Lapez said that the farmers must aware and familiarize the natural symptoms of the fever which are almost the same with the classical hog cholera.
Pamugas on the other hand said that in the forum the farmers must know about the nature of the Rice Tarrification Law and how it would affect to them being entrepreneurs in the implementation of the law.
He also emphasized that the DA-Credit Programs must also be properly disseminated and explained to the farme- entrepreneurs on how it can be useful in their business.
To take up these major issues and concerns are the resource persons from the Bureau of Animal Industry 7, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) of DA-Regional Field Office 7, Pamugas added.
In the opening program, Gov. Edgar M. Chatto will lead the provincial officials to deliver the messages, while Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog will give the rationale of the activity after Dr. Pamugas acknowledges the participants. (AtoyCosap)
