IN PHOTOS | The Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas (DA7) Rice Program conducted a 1st quarter regional assessment from April 9-10, 2024 in Siquijor Province.

DA7’s Rice Focal Person, Engr. Epifanio Gaudicos, who facilitated the assessment took the opportunity to thank the program implementers both the operating and implementing units (OU/IU) for the outstanding accomplishments in last year’s implementation, adding that same enthusiasm be maintained this year’s (2024) implementation of projects and interventions.

To prepare the region for the wet season planting, an action plan on the pre-implementation activities was presented for inputs and commitment of the OU and IU if the proposed activities and time lines are feasible to conduct. Proposed action activities include the soil sampling, bantay peste training and monitoring, tapping of the local farmer technicians, positioning of production support services like seeds and fertilizers, among others.

Matters of concerns were addressed by DA7 Regional Executive Directors, giving some directives and instructions for the region to achieve its targets as well as the early positioning and timely distribution of the needed interventions, with the start of the wet cropping season.

Director Enriquez shared an instruction for the region to have locally produced seeds, of which, she wanted an inventory of the number of seed growers and their capacity to produce local seeds to cater the needs of the farmers in the region.

In addition, she reminded again the importance of data analytics to serve as baseline and future planning.

The OU/IUs presented the status of their 2024 plans.