DAR, XSF celebrate International Year of Family Farming Cagayan de Oro - In line with the celebration of CY 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF), the Department of Agrarian Reform-Region 10 and the Xavier Science Foundation(XSF) held two fora in Ozamiz City on Nov. 25. In the morning, a forum on Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) was held at Naomi’s Botanical Garden wherein some 200 agrarian reform beneficiaries from Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental gathered to listen to updates and gain inspiration from the best practices of the more successful organizations that have availed of the project. Asst. Regional Director Eliasem Castillo presented the DAR-10 support service projects and accomplishments while XSF Exec. Dir. Roel Ravanera gave an input on ASEAN economic integration. In the afternoon, another forum was held at Misamis University where the farmers were joined by about 400 students from 11 agricultural schools that compose the Federation of Agricultural Schools in Mindanao (FASMIN) which includes Xavier University, Central Mindanao University and Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology, among others. Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Anthony Parungao represented DAR Sec. Virgilio de los Reyes as keynote speaker. USec. Parungao cited some data that pointed to the significant contribution of the small farmers worldwide to global food production. He also extensively discussed the several problems confronting the small farmers and gave some recommendations on what the government should do to address the concerns of the agricultural sector that comprise the backbone of the economy. “The Philippine’s high GDP will be for naught if it will not result to agricultural development in the countryside,” Parungao stressed. Guests Gomer Tumbali of the Food and Agriculture Organization, Erlinda Dolatre of the German International Cooperation, and Ana Sibayan, a young farmer leader of the Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA) also gave relevant messages for the farmers and students. An open forum then followed. DAR-10 Regional Director Felix Aguhob delivered the concluding message and thanked the guests as well as the officials of the agricultural schools, students and the farmers for their active participation during the day’s activities. RD Aguhob also acknowledged the efforts of Xavier Science Foundation for facilitating the fora that ensured the meaningful celebration of IYFF in Region 10. Key DAR-10 regional and provincial officials came in full force for the event. (Editha R. Salvador)
Posted on: Thu, 27 Nov 2014 07:13:53 +0000
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