Government to compensate Cordillera vegetable farmers - DA Piñol

Photo Courtesy || Manny Piñol

Cordillera - Vegetable farmers in the Cordillera region who threw away truckloads of unsold vegetables will be compensated by the government according to Department of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol. 

The announcement came after he had received reports from Cordillera Agriculture officials that the reason why farmers weren't able to sell their produced was due to typhoon Usman that hit the Bicol region.

Officials from the DA-CAR reported that 'traders refused to buy the vegetables delivered by the farmers to the Benguet Vegetable Trading Center because the floods in Bicol prevented them from shipping the commodities to Bicol and the Visayas'.

When Tropical Depression Usman hit Bicol region last week of December, it caused flooding to the national highways thus, preventing traders to transport vegetables.

Photo Courtesy || Manny Piñol

Although some farmers were able to sell their produce, they have sold it with a very low price.

To help the Cordillera farmers, DA Piñol said that his department and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation will conduct a validation process next week to identify those affected farmers so that they will be given appropriate insurance payment. Issuance of payment could take two weeks.

"Tomorrow, the DA and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) will start the validation process which would involve the identification of farmers who suffered losses and the estimated value of the vegetables they threw away," Piñol said.  

"I would like to assure our farmers that the administration of President Rody Duterte listens to the voices of our farmers and fishermen," he added. 

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Free Seminars for farmers at Agrilink 2017 on Oct. 5 - 7 in Pasay City

Photo: Agrilink

Baguio City, - A free seminars for farmers organized by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agencies will be held from October 5 to 7 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City during this year's Agrilink 2017 event. 

Numerous events are scheduled during the seminars that focus on how farmers can improve their crops production, enhance their post harvest facilities, increase and sustain agricultural productivity including ways and methods to increase their income.

The DA will hold free seminars, technical workshops, demonstrations, investment forum, and business-to-business (B2B) seminars where farmers can have the opportunity to market their produce to business establishments in the country.

Also in the event, is the chance of farmers to get fresh information and knowledge related to improving production and management of high-value crops such as pili nuts, cacao, coffee, etc.

For Cordillerans who are interested to learn new methods of raising organically grown native pigs and how to process the meat can benefit from the seminar conducted by senior science research specialist Wilmer Faylon of the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) on October 5.

Agrilink is the agribusiness exhibition and seminars held annually during the month of October where hundreds of exhibitors and visitors from different countries to come together to showcase latest information and innovation in the agriculture industry.

Agrilink also serves as the venue for the leaders of the agribusiness to come together and dialogue with the top leaders in the country to look into the problems of farmers in the region and come up with a solution.

Under the theme "Improved Varities and Postharvest Facilities: Essential to Profibility", farmers will definitely learn a lot from the seminar.

source: agrilink.org

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