SEC DAR, JAMES REID LED PAG-AHON CEREMONIAL HARVESTING
Lupao, Nueva Ecija – The Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar together with DA Ambassador on Food Security James Reid and other officials conducted a site visit in PAG-AHON project on September 23.
As part of the DA’s Plant, Plant, Plant Program, the PAG-AHON project or also known as “Sa Palay at Gulay, may Ani, Hanapbuhay, Oportunidad, at Nutrisyon” was established in Nueva Ecija on May 11, 2020 by the Philippine Rice Research Institute.
“I am really happy that this is happening. We can always innovate in times of this pandemic,” Secretary Dar said.
This project aims to ensure food security by increasing the harvest and income of the local farmers and provide an access to planting materials and diversify sources of income.
A total of 50 farmer-beneficiaries were trained on vegetable production and technologies and successfully harvested assorted vegetables from their yards.
“I would like to thank all the partners here from the PhilRice and with the additional partners coming in, with the LGUs sustaining their engagement and involvement. There is no other way but to succeed,” Secretary added.
In addition, the DA Central Luzon continues the distribution of inbred and hybrid rice seeds and fertilizer in the region. As of today, approximately Php 13.5 million of seeds and Php 10 million of fertilizers were received by Lupao Farmers.
Furthermore, a Memorandum of Agreement was inked between Central Luzon State University and Department of Agriculture. The Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (CenTrAD), Precision and Digital Agriculture Center (PreDiC), Organic Vegetable Production Technologies Using Vertical Farmer Systems for Alleviating Food Security in the City are the projects included in the MOA.###
Writer: Rica Geda Salas
Photographer: Renzo Tobias and Jonnel Castillo