Calbayog, DA forge pact for sustainable agri

Farmers in Calbayog City, Samar stand to benefit from a pact to promote and develop sustainable agriculture in the city, made recently between the local Catholic diocese and the Department of Agriculture. The Social Action Center of the diocese in Calbayog launched its Diocesan Demo Farm on Oct. 13 after receiving P9 million from the DA’s Green House Project. The demo farm is located in Oquendo district, a few kilometers away from Calbayog. “The special grant is expected to enhance the government’s food security program through assisting the needs of the rural farmers," Calbayog Bishop Isabelo Abarquez said during the inauguration of the demo farm, which will form part of the diocese’s existing Greenhouse Vegetable Gardening Project. At the inauguration ceremonies, the bishop accepted both the partnership program and 17 sets of “state-of-the-art" greenhouse facilities for organic agriculture. The farm and project are envisioned to help augment the income of farmers in the area, particularly vegetable growers in barangay Limarayon and other members of the Basic Ecclesiastical Community of Samar for Sustainable Agriculture and Livelihood (BECSSAL) Farmers Cooperative, the bishop said. This was “another centennial blessing from God," which was indeed a "God of surprises," the bishop said as he led the blessing and inauguration of the demo farm. Also present during event were other DA regional and provincial officials, local government and barangay (village) officials, as well local farmers groups. "This is a momentous occasion. Our coming over is worth our while, as we were able to bear witness to the biggest greenhouse project ever put up in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas)," said DA Regional Director Leo Cañeda, who was also present during the turnover ceremony. The Eastern Visayas provinces of Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte and Southern Leyte are among the country’s poorest provinces. - DM, GMANews.TV