Visayas regions seen to sustain agri growth

CEBU, Philippines — The three regions in the Visayas are projected to sustain their agricultural growth in 2020 for this year as the prevailing pandemic drives demand for farm products.

Department of Agriculture (DA) in Central Visayas Regional Director Salvador Diputado attributed the sector’s growth to the increased involvement of local government units in agriculture-related initiatives.

Diputado said they have provided farm inputs and equipment to the farmers as their convergence with the local government units of utmost importance in identifying the needs of the farmers in the different localities.

DA-6 Regional Director Remelyn Recoter, for her part, said agriculture was one of the performing industries in the region last year wherein, for instance, the 8.7 percent increase in palay (rice) production in 2020 as compared to that of 2019.

 Recoter said crucial to the sector’s sustained growth is the funding support from the national government to Filipino farmers and fisherfolk, adding there is a need to ”reboot” the sector to adapt to the changing times brought about by the pandemic.

DA-8 Regional Director Angel Enriquez, on the other hand, said the government’s increased investment into the agriculture sector has contributed to its growth performance.

Enroquez said the rice and corn production in Region 8 reached 96 percent and 94 percent, respectively, of the target set for the year 2020.

The three DA officials were speaking in an online talk show program of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV).

Meanwhile, DA-7 continues to distribute cash and food subsidies to marginal farmers in various parts of the region. — KQD (FREEMAN)