CITY FARMERS’, FISHERFOLKS’ CONTRIBUTIONS TO FOOD SECURITY, LAUDED

19 May 2021 – The Summer Capital aims to link the produce of local farmers and fisherfolks directly to the market and public as it celebrates Urban Farmers and Fisherfolk Month with the theme, “May pandemya man o wala, Magsasaka’t, mangingisda maaasahan ng bansa”.      

Agriculturist II Marcelina Tabelin of the city veterinary and agriculture office (CVAO)said the event also recognizes the efforts and contributions  of those in the agricultural and fisheries sectors  towards bolstering food security especially amidst the ongoing coronavirus-2019 pandemic.

Among the month-long celebration’s activities is a joint program and farmers’ summit on May 28 where the city’s outstanding farmer leaders, senior and young farmers, and farmer organizations will be awarded plaques of recognition.

Others are the fingerlings disposal conducted in several selected areas  in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on May 7; and a Kadiwa community pantry of the DA in partnership with Cordillera farmers and fisherfolk at Irisan.  

Slated on May 11 to 18 is for the first batch of participants of the Agri-Tourism trade fair at Igorot Garden while second batch is scheduled on May 19 to 25.

A Farmers’ Sunday Market Showcase is set on May 23 and May 30 along Session Road while a coffee tree planting and clean-up drive is earmarked on May 27 at several venues in the city.

In a survey conducted by CVAO in 2018, Tabelin said the city has a total of 1,690 individuals engaged in farming and fishery with farmers far outnumbering fisherfolk.

She added, however, that around 290 of them  have not yet registered in the registry system for basic sectors in agriculture (RSBSA) as of present.

The RSBSA serves as a requirement and basis for providing financial assistance, subsidiary funding, and insurance services for farmers and fisherfolk and is usually given priority in the targeting and implementation of their respective programs. – Gaby B. Keith