DAVAO ORIENTAL—In its continuous effort in advancing agricultural development and in reducing poverty incidence, the Provincial Government here, through the Provincial Agriculture Office, will be formulating Davao Oriental Agricultural Agenda for the year 2019 to 2022.
Taking the first toward this goal, representatives of the agriculture and fishery sector, through the different cooperatives and Private Organizations in the City of Mati, convened in dialogue on April 29 at the City’s Honeys Hotel.
Rotchie M. Ravelo, Provincial Agriculturist, who at the same time is the Provincial Cooperative Development Officer, said that the dialogue aims to identify the problems and possible solution of the agriculture and fisheries sector from the grassroots level.
“Basically we are hearing from our sector on what really are their problems and what is the possible solution that can be recommended to the provincial government. It’s good to hear from the real actors of our agricultural development,” he said.
Ravelo added that this will also ensure the continuity of the development programs of Governor Nelson Dayanghirang in the last three years.
“We do have medium term, long term plans every administration. For Governor Dayanghirang we formulated the Davao Oriental Agriculture and Fisheries Strategic Plan which was implemented on 2016 to 2019. So now we must update this medium-term plan so that we can ensure the continuity of the program. If we can identify needs that require remedial action, we will work on it,” Ravelo said.
Provincial Chief of Staff Ednar Dayanghirang, who is one of the event facilitators, told the participants in his rationale that the provincial government must take drastic actions in addressing the needs in these sectors as agricultural development contributes a huge chunk in reducing poverty incidence in the province.
“Governor Dayanghirang has implemented various programs under his watch but problems in these sectors remain unsolved. That is why we invited you here to talk about your situation in the barangay level which we, in the government needs to know for it to be addressed,” Dayanghirang said.
During the whole day activity, the participants were grouped according to the commodity the organization they are in are working on, namely corn, cacao, vegetables, rubber, coffee, mango, coconut, and banana on crops, inland and marine on fishery, and livestock and poultry. Participants answered questions like the issues and concerns of farmers or fisherfolks in the family, community, and within the sector, as well as the question on the kind of programs or projects they want to propose for the issue to be addressed.
The participants then presented their findings which were then answered by the event facilitators, including Dr. Eric Dagmang, the Provincial Veterinarian.
Meanwhile, Ravelo, said earlier in an interview that their office will soon be convening representatives of the said sectors in the whole of district one, and consequently in district two, to engage in the same activity.
