DA opens Farmers' and Fisherfolk's Month Celebration on May 6

The Department of Agriculture (DA) family, under the leadership of Secretary Bernie G. Fondevilla, spearheads the nationwide celebration of Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month this May, with this year’s theme: “Magsasaka at Mangingisda, Sama-samang Harapin ang Hamon ng ‘Climate Change’ Gamit ang Makabagong Teknolohiya.”
 
The DA has lined up several activities for this year’s Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month celebration, commencing with Fondevilla cutting the ceremonial ribbon to open the month-long agri-aqua fair showcasing major farm and fishery products, and a photo essay of the FIELDS program accomplishments, at the DA-OSEC lobby, on Thursday (May 6) 8 AM. 
 
The regional field units (RFUs) also have been instructed to have their respective regional celebrations.
 
FIELDS is the centerpiece food security agenda of the Arroyo administration that stands for the major areas where the President has been pumping unprecedented farm spending by the government.
 
It stands for Fertilizers, Irrigation and other rural infrastructure like farm-to-market roads (FMRs), Extension services and education for farmers, Loans, Dryers and other postharvest facilities, and Seeds and other genetic materials.
 
A mass in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of peasants, will then be held at the DA parking lot, followed by a short program. Secretary Fondevilla will deliver a short message, and likewise honor farmer-entrepreneurs and food export commodity champions, and swear in the DA-BFAR national “Mangingisdang Direktor” Ronaldo N. Paglicawan from Occidental Mindoro along with 6 other Regional Fisherfolk Director (RFD) in Luzon. The 10 other FRDs in Visayas and Mindanao will have their respective oath-taking in their regions.
 
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Director Malcolm I. Sarmiento, Jr. said that the Mangingisdang Direktor Program, now on its 6th year of implementation, aims to strengthen the partnership between the government and its stakeholders in the sustainable management of the fisheries resource and to provide better understanding of the bureaucracy.
 
Sarmiento said that the fisherfolk directors will head the national and 6 regional offices of the BFAR from May 4 to May 30, 2009 . They would be in-charge with the everyday operations of the bureau subject to the guidelines spelled out in DA Special Order No. 88 s. 2005. During the month-long stint, the fisherfolk leaders are expected to provide insights and/or recommendations to make better the services of the bureau to their constituents. At the same time, the regular BFAR directors are required to undertake a 2-week immersion program in fishing communities that would aid them in drawing up more responsive programs and effective implementation strategies for its clients.
 
Meanwhile, the IFEx (International Food Exposition) Philippines 2010 will open on the same day at the World Trade Center , in Pasay City , until May 8.
 
Fondevilla said that on the Arroyo watch, the priority of the DA has been not only to further raise yields to ensure food security and sufficiency but also to raise the incomes of farmers, fisherfolk and other agricultural stakeholders.
 
Hence, aside from intervention programs to boost farm production, the DA has, during the time of then-Secretary Arthur Yap and now, under Secretary Fondevilla, given priority to programs that would cut postharvest losses of farmers and fisherfolk and expand the markets—plus explore new ones—for their produce both here and abroad.
 
The following is the month-long schedule of exhibitors at the DA-OSEC Agri-Aqua Fair and Photo Exhibit:
May 3-14, FIELDS Accomplishments and product exhibit by the export and commodity champions;
May 17-21, Grains Sector (PhilRice, National Food Authority, Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Rice & Corn), Fisheries Sector (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, GMA Fisheries); and
May 24-28, High Value Commercial Crops Sector: Fiber Industry Development Authority, Philippine Coconut Authority, Sugar Regulatory Administration, National Tobacco Administration, Bureau of Plant Industry, Cotton Development Administration,
 
GMA HVCC Program and other DA Family agencies (Agricultural Credit Policy Council, Agricultural Training Institute, Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards, Bureau of Agricultural Research, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension, Bureau of Soils and Water Management, Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, National Agribusiness Corporation, National Agricultural and Fishery Council, National Irrigation Administration, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, and the Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee Corporation.

 Source: http://www.da.gov.ph/newindex2.php?pass=News_events/2010/may/may04_2010a.html