BACOLOD CITY – A rice farm clustering strategy in Valladolid, Negros Occidental, is being pushed by Mayor Enrique “Bebot” Miravalles, to help farmers produce more, as part of the town’s food self-sufficiency program.
This was revealed recently by Miravalles during a press briefing in Valladolid, as the municipality joins the World Food Day celebration slated on October 20.
Valladolid, according to Miravalles, is next to Bago City, as the top rice producing local government unit in Negros Occidental, with 3,800 hectares of agricultural land planted with rice, assorted vegetables, and sugarcane.
Municipal Agriculturist Rosela Bayaborda disclosed that various associations of rice farmers in Valladolid expressed their support to the DA program, following a series of meetings they conducted in Valladolid.
A total of 2,491 hectares of land, which comprises 80 percent of the land area of Valladolid, has been planted with rice, according to reports of the Municipal Agriculturist Office.
Under the rice farm clustering program, Bayaborda said that the DA will provide support to the rice clustered farms, in terms of hybrid seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, machinery and other technical assistance.
She added that they will push for the inclusion of Valladolid, as among the pilot areas of the DA.
At present, Bayaborda further said that they have community rice seed banking in Brgy. Bayabas, Valladolid, that produces local seeds for use by farmers.
Miravalles cited the successful implementation of rice farm clustering program in South Cotabato, where Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo, where the provincial government extended subsidies to rice farmers.
Though Valladolid is a fourth class municipality. Miravalles said he is determined to duplicate it in his town, with the support of the national government and other agencies.
Valladolid will mark World Food Day on Oct. 20 with a display of locally produced products, distribution of farm inputs to farmers, and turnover of P4 million worth of goods to the 12 duly registered people’s organizations in Valladolid, by the Department of Labor and Employment.
(Gilbert Bayoran via TVDS, photo by TVDS)
