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Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Tramlines seen to end marijuana production
By Jane Cadalig
TO HELP farmers cope with the rising cost of agricultural production, the agrarian reform department is eyeing the possibility of establishing tramlines in farmlands where the construction of farm-to-market roads is almost impossible.
The proposal is also aimed to help eradicate the practice of marijuana production in some parts of the region.
The agency has proposed the establishment of tramlines in Benguet, claiming this would greatly benefit the farmers here that are usually hard up in delivering their produce from their farms to the market.
"The establishment of tramlines is the answer to difficulties incurred by our farmers in transporting their produce," said Agrarian Reform Regional Director Renato Navata.
Aside from facilitating the delivery of agricultural harvests from the farms to the market while preserving the quality of the produce, Navata added that the put up of tramlines could also preserve the environment.
He said environmental destruction could be minimized since there is no need to cut trees or destroy the mountains to construct farm-to-market roads.
He added that tramlines could also resolve the problem on marijuana plantation because farmers in remote places would be encouraged to plant vegetables instead of cultivating the illegal plant.
The inaccessibility of some farmlands in Benguet from the main roads is said to be one of the factors why farmers resort to planting marijuana, saying these are easily transported.
The department however said tramlines could only be established in areas where these are feasible.
(May 23, 2006 issue)
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