PAGADIAN CITY - Some 32 graduates of the Department of
Agriculture’s (DA) 3rd batch season-long Training of Trainers (TOT) on
Palay Check for farmers/irrigators association were recently confirmed by
Regional Executive Director (RED) Eduardo B. Holoyohoy in a simple ceremony
held at Casa Emsa, Airport Road, Tiguma this city.
Gianipa A. Manupac, TOT adviser and
facilitator presented the graduates to RED Holoyohoy who encouraged the farmers
to work hand in hand with the government to achieve rice self-sufficiency in
the region. In response, “Sapat na Bigas, kaya ng Pinas” was chorused by the
graduates.
“The DA is committed to keep pace with
the agricultural needs and progress of Filipino farmers that will make them
profitable and also to create an income-generating rice granary throughout the
year,” Holoyohoy said.
The TOT program for Palay Check is part
of DA’s efforts to enhance the knowledge of rice farmers and irrigators to
minimize the cost of farm inputs by maximizing the use of available resources
and minimizing the big gap of the harvests in terms of yield from one cropping
to another.
In consonance with the observance of
the National Year of Rice (NYR 2013), DA is advocating for responsible rice
consumption enjoining the public, producers, and policy makers to work hand in
hand in achieving its goal for rice self-sufficiency.
“We are eating more rice than other food
groups when rice and other grains should only be one-fourth of our plate meal.
We restrict our energy source too much to rice,” said Regional Rice Action Officer
Winifreda P. Jose.
Jose presented the Panatang Makapalay
(Pledge for Rice) in driving consumers to save rice with emphases on
responsible rice consumption such as cooking
rice correctly, preparing and taking just enough to minimize waste, to value
every grain, and to acknowledge the efforts of the farmers.
“For each grain saved, a life is saved.
This line elevates the status of the farmers not only as rice producers but
also as life savers, giving life to the nation. Ang mga mag-uuma mao ang
dugo nga naglatay sa nasud (The farmers are the lifeblood of the nation),
provincial coordinator, Jose Agad Jr. said.
The program ended with the distribution
of special awards and certificates in recognition of the efforts of the farmers
and irrigators for successfully completing the four-month season–long training.
(FPG/ALT/Inelin Cabiguin/DA9/PIA9)
