ILOILO – In line with the celebration of Farmers and Fisherfolk Month, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6 conducted an Agricultural Technology Forum on May 7 at Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (WESVIARC) in Jaro, Iloilo City.
Themed “Makabagong Magsasaka at Mangingisda, Susi sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas!,” the activity emphasized the significance of adopting research technologies and modern strategies in response to ongoing challenges in the sector that affect farmers’ productivity and income sustainability.
The activity serves as a direct engagement with farmers to consolidate their concerns, insights, and recommendations to improve the agricultural sector, especially in farming.
For DA, this program is not solely focused on seed and tangible support distribution, but on equipping and enlightening farmers about modern strategies and science-based farming technologies to improve agrarian productivity while maintaining sustainability.
The agency also urged farmers to prioritize sustainability and view farming as a business.
“We must increase farmers’ productivity by adopting new technologies. If we fail to keep up with these developments, we risk being left behind, resulting in continued low productivity. We should also expand our production areas. Let’s make idle lands productive, as increased land use will naturally lead to higher yields,” said Engr. Buen Mondejar, Farmer Regional Executive Director.
The Regional Farmers Congress will also be pushed through to reach more farmers and fisherfolk with vital information on DA programs and projects. Thus, similar events will be held in Guimaras, Capiz, Aklan, and Antique from May 20 to 23.
“To better understand and address farmers’ needs, we will be conducting a series of farmers congresses across the region. I will bring the Department of Agriculture team with me to hear directly from the farmers themselves,” Mondejar stressed.
Also present during the event was DA Regional Executive Director Dennis R. Arpia, who emphasized the agency’s role in plotting strategies of shifting to proactive, science-based decisions in ensuring success./PN
