BACOLOD CITY — Ten farmers’ associations in Silay City, Negros Occidental received PHP2.027-million worth of projects funded by the bottom-up budgeting program of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The projects were turned over by the city government on Monday as part of the opening of the nine-day Agri-Aqua Trade Fair, one of the events to celebrate Silay’s 61st Charter Anniversary.
The beneficiaries included seven associations, which received a total of PHP1.07 million in post-harvest facilities.
One hand tractor was given each to the Cabal-ong Farmers Association, Lupa Pamanaag Farmers Irrigators Association, Nacayao Small Farmers Association, Violeta Palay Check Farmers Association, Nacayao Barangay Captain Ramon Integrated Farmers Association, Camantero Farmers Association, and San German Tionko Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries.
Three associations, on the other hand, received PHP957,600 worth of infrastructure support to agri-fishery production — the Dorothea Farmers Integrated Association, San Vicente I Farmers Association, and Camantero Farmers Association, which received one power tiller each.
Mayor Mark Golez, who was joined by Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino during the turnover rites, emphasized the vital role of farmers and fisherfolk in ensuring food security.
The trade fair is one way of showcasing the city’s harvest of crops that are mostly grown in the upland areas, Golez said.
“The city continues to initiate measures to boost the agriculture and fishery sectors by always making them part of the charter celebration,” he said.
Golez said 70 percent of the businesses in Silay are agriculture-based and most residents rely on farming for livelihood.
This year’s Agri-Aqua Trade Fair features the various products of four farmers associations assisted by the City Agriculture Office through the Organic Trading Post, as well as those of fisherfolk from the city’s coastal villages. (Erwin Nicavera/PNA)
