DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA)-Cordillera Planning and Management Chief Susan Balanza said the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) remains rice sufficient.
During Thursday’s media conference on the region’s Gross Regional Domestic Product, Balanza said the region remain sufficient wherein it can provide what the region’s need in terms of rice commodity.
Balanza, however, noted the provinces of Benguet and Mountain Province remain to have challenges with its distribution prior to the road network system of the said provinces.
“The region remains rice sufficient but there are provinces that are not sufficient that includes Benguet and Mountain Province because of the road network system,” said Balanza.
When it comes to highland vegetables, the region is much more sufficient, added Balanza with the province of Benguet known as the salad bowl of the country producing highland vegetables across the nation.
In the succeeding years, the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Cordillera aims to identify, prioritized and avoid duplication of classifying farm-to-market roads (FMR).
This year, the agency has allotted P336-million budget for FMRs.
Meanwhile, Philippine Statistics Authority noted a slight increase of the region’s economic performance in the agriculture sector.
To further trigger the increasing growth rate agriculture, the DA allotted P1.7B budget for the sector for 2018 in the whole region.
DA is set to focus on programs empowering and enhancing the capabilities of the farmers in financial literacy, business management and continue the FMR programs of the agency.
Moreover, Balanza said on her point of view the effect of autonomy in the region remains acceptable with the uniqueness of the region when it comes to its agro-ecozone, terrain and slope that help the region to establish its own policies.
“The autonomy to develop policies unique to us kumpara sa other regions,” she added.