A P3.34-MILLION worth of agriculture facilities and inputs were awarded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Davao Region to Davao Occidental provincial government during the Tapatan forum last Tuesday, January 23.
Included in the amount were(1) 75 bags of inbred seeds with 75 bags complete fertilizers worth P192,000; (2) 20 bags of hybrid rice seeds with 80 bags complete fertilizers, a set of 80 bags urea fertilizers and 20 bags of Muriate of Potash each for Malita and Sta. Maria for their 20 hectares of their rice model farms worth P225,080; 300 bags of OPV corn seeds worth P375,000; 100 packs of vegetable seeds worth P6,000; 200 durian seedlings worth P6,000; 100 guyabano seedlings worth P3,000; 100 mangoesteen seedlings worth P3,000; 7,400 doses of various animal drugs and biologics worth P144,056; three units of liquid nitrogen in mother tanks worth P147,000; three units of liquid nitrogen in field tanks worth P55,000; and 25 kilograms of assorted vegetable seeds.
Aside from this amount, a P2 million worth of funds was also forwarded by DA Davao Region to the provincial government of Davao Occidental to be used for a multiplier farm.
As for their part, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Davao Region turned over 50 sets of fishing gears with gill nets sets worth P115,000; two elevated solar dryer units worth P20,000; and four smoke houses units worth P52,000. BFAR was also directed by Agriculture secretary Manny Piñol, who was present during the event, to deploy ships in the area for the fisherfolks to use in delivering marine products to urban cities. This project will be tagged as "The Food Boat" and already has an initial budget allotment of P250 million.
The Tapitan forum was attended by about 500 farmers and fisherfolks coming from Malita, Sta. Maria, Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, and Sarangani.
Also present during the event were BFAR Davao Regional director FatmaIdris and DA Davao Regional director Ricardo Oñate. (JPA/SunStar Davao)