Monday, May 30, 2005
Neda: Identifying lands for agribiz finished by June
THE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) 11 has vowed the identification, validation, and prioritization of new lands to be developed for agribusiness will be completed next month.
In a presentation during the Round Table Discussion on Agribusiness and Fair Trade organized by the Kababayen-an Alang sa Teknolohiya nga Haum sa Kinaiyahan (Katakus) Wednesday at the Grand Men Seng Hotel, Neda 11 assistant regional director Bonifacio Uy said these lands will cover areas categorized as underutilized, idle and marginal, and idle off-shore and inland bodies of water for aqua-culture.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has envisioned to develop at least two million hectares of new agribusiness lands, more than 50 percent of which are in Mindanao, within the next six years in order to create at least two million jobs, or a ratio of one job per hectare.
Through this program, a total of 280,250 hectares will be developed for corn production; 45,200 for livestock; 17,210 for fisheries; 292,690 for high-value crops (food); and 1,412,050 for high-value crops (non-food).
The high-value food crops that are included in the development plan are pineapple, pili, sugar, coffee, mango, durian, banana, cassava, citrus, vegetables, and garlic. While the non-food high-value crops are abaca, rubber, and coconut.
For Davao Region, the Department of Agriculture (DA) 11 has already identified the entire agrarian reform communities (ARCs) throughout the region as the major areas for development.
DA 11 regional executive director Roger Chio said in a recent interview that for this year alone, the agency will develop a total of 55,000 hectares of new agribusiness lands. Of the said figure, 4,500 hectares will be for corn production and 3,000 hectares for banana. (JMM)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (May 30, 2005 issue)
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