To promote and disseminate the services and programs of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agencies, a gender-based Information Caravan on Agriculture and Fisheries cum Bagong Pilipinas Town Hall Meeting (BPTH) was held today, July 10, 2024 in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.

Spearheaded by the DA-Central Visayas (DA7) through the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS) and the Provincial Agriculture Technology Coordinating Office (DA7 PATCO NegOr), the BPTH was participated by around 100 farmers and  agriculture staff from municipality of Vallehermoso and the cities of Canlaon and Guihulngan.

Joining the DA7 in the BPTH were attached agencies which include the National Food Authority (NFA), Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC), National Dairy Authority (NDA), PhilMech, and DA7’s Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) as they share their respective programs and services.

City Agriculturist Andrea Canoy, encouraged the participants to listen intently to the diferent agencies as they discussed their services. 

“This is a one of a kind face to face activity with the different agencies nga nianhi jud sila (they come over) for you to be equipped and empowered with right information aron makabalo namo kun unsa  man ang mga requirements, mga dapat ug angay nga buhaton (for you to know the requirement, what and how to comply). Kamo man ang BIDA sa agriculture (you are the actors of agriculture). 

For ways forward, she shared that the farmers will then be the true champion and model in the attainment of food security.

Mary Ronville Aba, DA7 PATCO staff, presented the profile of the region together with the 4-year plan of DA, while Christine Torlao of the RCPC staff discussed the different pests and diseases that will occur after the El Nino or the prolonged dry spell and the onset of the rainy season. She advised the farmers to regularly monitor their farm and report to DA of any presence of pests and diseases.

An open forum followed after each presentation.