Army backs livelihood programs for Calubian, San Isidro farmers groups

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 21): Army backs livelihood programs for Calubian, San Isidro farmers groups

KANANGA, Leyte -- The Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade and 19th Infantry Battalion continue to work for the implementation of the livelihood enhancement programs to their eight newly organized farmers and fisher folks associations in Leyte’s Calubian and San Isidro towns.

First Lt. Rod Vincent F. Babera, Civil Military Operation officer of the 19th IB, identified the farmers and fisher folks associations as Taglawigan Farmers Association, Taglawigan Fisher Folks Organization and Catoogan Farmers Association in San Isidro, Leyte; Sorosimbahan Farmers Association, Jubay Farmers Association, Airport Farmers Association and Cabatoan Farmers Association from Calubian, Leyte; and Libertad Farmers Association in Kananga, Leyte.

These organizations were formerly organized in the early ‘90s by the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front (CNN) in Leyte but have returned under the folds of the law 12 years ago.

As of this writing, all the eight farmers and fisher folks associations have been registered with the Department of Labor and Employment, he added.

Babera disclosed that the training on cassava and sweet potatoes production was successfully conducted at So. Crossing, Barangay Taglawigan, San Isidro, Leyte on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 with 300 farmer participants.

The training which was facilitated by the Philippine Rootcrops Research Center based in Visayas State University (VSU), Baybay City in partnership with the Fatima Multi-purpose Cooperative Incorporated aimed to introduce modern technologies, excellent varieties of crops and techniques to increase production of cassava and sweet potato among farmers, Babera said.

The training also includes lecture on: “Management and Control of Insect Pests and Diseases on Rootcrops” by Dr. Erlinda A. Vasquez, a VSU professor and entomologist, “Cassava Production Technology” by Dioscorro M. Bolatete, senior agriculturist of PhilRootcrops and “Sweet Potato Production Technology” by Enrique B. Abogadie, a senior production expert and Germplasm curator.

Another lecturer was Nilo Pesquera from the Philippine Crop Insurance Incorporated who mentioned the importance of crop insurance to farmers especially during occurrence of natural and man-made calamities.

Lt. Col. Joel Alejandro S. Nacnac, commanding officer of 19IB said that the training was just a start of more comprehensive programs and opportunities for subsistence farmers to increase their production and to earn extra income for their basic needs.

The military in Leyte under the leadership of Col. Rafael C. Valencia, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade has been coordinating with the different government agencies in the regional, provincial and municipal levels to facilitate programs and to ensure that the farmers’ rights and benefits are protected.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1141366469420