FOR producing more than half of the country’s sugar supply, the province of Negros Occidental has been known as the “Sugarland” of the Philippines.
But there are more attractions than just vast sugarcane plantations, like the province’s mountain resorts and vacation villas, sparkling white beaches, unique arts and crafts, ancestral homes, and now, its diverse rice and vegetable terraces.
The emerging tourism destination is now known as the Codcod Rice and Vegetable Terraces.
The terraces are located at the different sitios of Barangay Codcod, an upland village in San Carlos City, which is located very near the foot of the famous Mount Kanlaon.
Since farming is the main source of livelihood of the people of Barangay Codcod, it is not surprising to know that they carved out these very impressive rice and vegetable terraces from the mountain sides in their village.
Thus, Barangay Codcod has been dubbed “The Rice Granary and Vegetable Basket” of San Carlos City.
The crops planted are mostly cabbage, carrots, corn, pechay, onion, radish, squash, ginger, and of course, rice and sugarcane.
Different varieties of tropical fruits can also be found in Barangay Codcod, like jackfruit which is available most of the time, and mango, among many others.
Of the total land area, thousands of hectares are planted with rice, corn, and sugarcane, where the rest are planted with different varieties of vegetables.
Going to Barangay Codcod will not be a problem anymore because it can be accessible by bus, jeepney, and habal-habal, the common mode of transportation of the locals.
With the beauty of its surrounding mountains, Barangay Codcod can become one of the most sought after tourism destinations in the province of Negros Occidental.
The productivity being illustrated in Barangay Codcod is in line with the thrust of the provincial government which aims to continue to enhance the capability of the local farmers and fisherfolk through information and technology transfer and the provision of necessary equipment and other production support.
According to Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., they will continue to increase the production areas not just for rice but also for high-value crops, and corn that will feed the local poultry and livestock industry.
High-value crops are given priority because of its market potentials for domestic and international demand.
With certainty in the attainment of 100 percent self-sufficiency of rice for Negros Occidental, the provincial government will be shifting its focus towards supporting food security at the household level.
Marañon says that every household should be able to put food on their tables, and they do not have to look beyond their own backyards.
“We will support backyard vegetable, poultry, livestock and dairy production not only for the table but for additional income as well.”
It was learned that the provincial government will also pursue the thrust towards organic farming by encouraging more stakeholders to produce chemical-free crops not only for the lucrative world market but for good health as well.
In the process, this will help to maintain our ecological balance. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
