The
participants of the Training on Cassava and Sweet Potato
Production at So. Crossing, Brgy. Taglawigan, San Isidro, Leyte
on 16 April 2013. |
Army backs
implementation of livelihood enhancement programs for Calubian, San
Isidro farmers groups
By 19th Infantry Battalion,
8ID PA
April 17, 2013
KANANGA, Leyte – The 802nd
Infantry Brigade and 19th Infantry Battalion are now working on the
gradual implementation of the livelihood enhancement programs to its
eight (8) newly organized farmers and fisher folks associations in Leyte’s Calubian and San Isidro towns.
This was after the
successful conduct of the “Training on Cassava and Sweet Potato
Production” to three hundred farmers at So. Crossing, Brgy. Taglawigan,
San Isidro, Leyte on Tuesday, April 16, 2013.
The training which was
facilitated by the Philippine Rootcrops Research Center based in
Visayas State University (VSU), Baybay City in partnership with the
Fatima Multi-purpose Cooperative Incorporated aimed to introduce
modern technologies, excellent varieties of crops and techniques to
increase production of cassava and sweet potato among farmers.
The training also includes
lecture on; “Management and Control of Insect Pests and Diseases on
Rootcrops” by Dr. Erlinda A. Vasquez, a VSU Professor and
Entomologist, “Cassava Production Technology” by Mr. Dioscorro M.
Bolatete, Senior Agriculturist of PhilRootcrops, and “Sweet Potato
Production Technology” by Mr. Enrique B. Abogadie, a Senior Production
Expert and Germplasm Curator.
Other lecturer was Mr. Nilo
Pesquera from the Philippine Crop Insurance Incorporated who stressed
the importance of crop insurance to farmers especially during
occurrence of natural and man-made calamities.
Lt. Col. Joel Alejandro S.
Nacnac, Commanding Officer of 19IB stressed that the training is just
a start on more comprehensive programs and opportunities for
subsistence farmers to increase their production and earn extra income
for other basic needs.
The military in Leyte under
the leadership of Col. Rafael C. Valencia, Commander of the 802nd
Infantry Brigade had been coordinating with the different government
agencies in the region, provincial and municipal level to ensure that
the farmers’ rights and benefits are protected.
As of now, all eight (8)
newly organized farmers and fisher folks associations namely:
Taglawigan Farmers Association, Taglawigan Fisher Folks Organization
and Catoogan Farmers Association in San Isidro, Leyte; Sorosimbahan
Farmers Association, Jubay Farmers Association, Airport Farmers
Association and Cabatoan Farmers Association from Calubian, Leyte; and
Libertad Farmers Association in Kananga, Leyte were officially
registered at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).