BATANGAS CITY – The provincial government has engaged farmers, fisherfolks and the agriculture sector in a special “Farmers’ Day 2018” celebration Thursday to honor the agri-fishery industry workers for their great contributions in sustaining food sufficiency and food security in the province.
Governor Hermilando I. Mandanas underscored the importance and vital role of the agriculture and fisheries sector as they serve the country’s feeding ground and ensure there’s food in every family and household.
“Madami pa ang dapat gawin o ibalangkas na mga programa para sa patuloy na pag-unlad at maitaas pa ang antas ng agrikultura sa lalawigan (We need to do more and craft programs to sustain the development and scale up agriculture in the province),” Mandanas said.
The “Farmers’ Day” event was organized by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), headed by chief agriculturist Engr. Pablito A. Balantac, and was set up as special day at the OPA Demo Farm, Diversion Road in Barangay Bolbok in this city.
The day-long celebration, themed “Sulong Magsasaka at Mangingisdang Batangueño sa Landas Tungo Sa Pag-asenso (forward Batangueño farmers and fisher folks towards progress,” featured a farm tour, viewing of exhibits showcasing the various vegetables and agriculture products.
“Hatid din ng Farmers’ Day ang maipakita ang ilang pinagmamalaking produkto ng mga Batangueño sa pamamagitan ng pagtatayo ng mga booths kung saan nariyan ang kani-kanilang mga magagandang produkto (the Farmers’ Day showcase the best quality and famous Batangueño products that are displayed at the various booths),” Balantac said.
Some of the exhibitors included the Batangas Organic and Natural Farming Cooperative (BONFAC), Farm Ready Seedling Corporation, Batangas Cacao Growers Association, Genson Trading, among other farmers and fisher folk organizations and cooperatives.
The crowd-drawing event was the presentation of the “Pinaka” or the best, biggest and longest fruit and vegetable varieties.
Gracing the “Farmers’ Day” were 4th District Board Member Jesus de Veyra who chairs the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial legislative council) Committee on Agriculture; Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Romelito R. Marasigan; Department of Agriculture (DA) Region IV-A Assistant Regional Technical Director Milo D. Delos Reyes and Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer Fidel Libao.
According to Balantac, the event also served as celebration for Batangas province, which bagged the “Most Improved Province of CALABARZON” Award during the DA’s 2018 Regional Gawad Saka Search for Outstanding Farmers and Fisher folks awards rite last Oct. 12.
He said the event also honored the four Batangas farmers and agriculture workers, who are finalists in this year’s Regional Gawad Saka Awards and Regional Organic Agriculture Achievers.
Agriculture officers and staff, farmers and fisher folks also participated in the games, raffles and the videoke challenge that spiced up the festive celebration. (Saul Pa-a/PNA)
