Week-long celebration to honor Region 8 farmers, fishers

TACLOBAN CITY, May 20 (PNA) -- The Department of Agriculture regional office here is all set to honor the region’s farmers and fisherfolks through a week-long celebration on May 23-27 anchored on the theme: “Panibagong Yugto, Tuloy na Pagbabago.”

The opening ceremony on Monday will feature a motorcade along the city’s major streets, followed by a mass, opening program, ceremonial opening of the Agri-Aqua Fair and Machineries Exhibit and the kick-off seminar series (Episode 1) highlighting the agency’s milestones and accomplishments under the Aquino administration.

The seminar is a presentation of the results of the agri-stakeholders’ technical forum, and gender and development (GAD) consultation meeting.

The exhibit, including the seminar series, will continue on the second day until May 27. This will be held at the DA regional office compound.

The public is invited to join in the seminar series and patronize the various products on sale during the week-long exhibit.

On Tuesday, the seminar series (Episode 2) will feature topics on urban agriculture, corn and cassava cluster development, cacao and coffee industry prospects, launching of the broadcast course on rice farming in adverse conditions, and GAD orientation.

Meanwhile, Wednesday, the third day seminar series will feature meat processing, demonstration on the straw and oyster mushroom culture and cultivation, lecture and demonstration on rice crop 

manager (RCM), and lectures on Philippine rice information system, rice data and information, site specific nutrient management and strengthening of the local farmer technicians in Region 8.

The seminar series (episode 4) will continue on Thursday with discussions on the ASEAN Economic Community, Philippine National Standards (PNS) on food safety and the proper handling of agricultural products and the certification process on good agricultural practices (GAP)/ organic farming practices.

The fifth and final day will be capped with a joint closing ceremony of the exhibit and the Gawad Saka awarding ceremonies where Agri-Aqua Fair winners and this year’s 27 Regional Gawad Saka Achievers in agriculture for 12 categories will be given certificates of recognition and cash awards.

This will be held at the Leyte Academic Center Gymnasium, Palo, Leyte. A fellowship night will wrap up the week-long affair. (PNA)

FFC/SQM/PR/EGR