balita; January 26, 2011 2:03 am

MANILA, Jan. 25 – The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Tuesday it is launching the National Farmers’ Registry System (NFRS) in collaboration with the local government units (LGUs).

DA officials said its aim is to effectively plan, design and monitor agricultural support services.

During a preliminary discussion attended by local executives, provincial and municipal agriculturists, and other agri stakeholders of Quezon province, Agriculture Sectary Proceso J. Alcala urged the officials to take part in the said program as it seeks to establish a reliable database of farmers and farm lands.

“Thru this voluntary system, farmers will be given highest priority in the blueprinting of programs and services by the DA and other government agencies,” Alcala said.

This will include a medium and long-term public investment program which is in line with DA’s battlecry “from farm to table”.

“Also, NFRS can be used in assessing the height of damages in agricultural lands after a typhoon, making it easier for partner agencies to assess what assistance to provide”, he added.

The NFRS methodology is a community-based approach which entails data gathering thru interviews. As such, an information campaign on its implementation will be spearheaded by the DA and the LGUs.

Once all components are finalized, implementation will be piloted in the provinces of Quezon, Leyte and Bukidnon, ranked most vulnerable to flood, El Niño and landslides by the National Disaster Coordinating Council, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the DA. [(PNA) DCT/JCA]

Source: Farmer database aids agri sector in program dev’t