In line with the celebration of Farmers and Fisherfolk Month, the City Government of Davao – through the City Agriculturist’s Office (CAgrO) – prepared a series of trainings, trade fairs, and other activities to promote and honor the agricultural sector of the city.
CAgrO’s Institutional Development Services Division Head, James Arly Danac, said in an interview with the Madayaw Program over the city-owned Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Wednesday that the activities lined-up for the month-long celebration aims to support the farmers and fisherfolk of Davao.
“Sa bulan sa mag-uuma, atoa pud suportahan ang atoang mga mag-uuma ug mangingisda kay mao man gyud ni atoa’ng tinubdan sa atoang pagkaon [During the farmers and fisherfolk month, we should show support to our farmers and fisherfolk because they are the source of our food],” Danac said.
The theme for this year’s Farmers and Fisherfolk Month is “Magsasaka’t mangingisdang Pilipino, saludo ang buong bansa sa sipag, tibay, at lakas niyo.”
According to Danac, the celebration kicked off on May 1 with a motorcade conducted by the CAgrO’s Baguio District Office. Their Marilog District Office will also be conducting a series of activities for farmers and fisherfolk in the area on May 6.
Danac also said that there will be a series of meetings for Davao durian farmers intended to strengthen the Durian Industry in the city. The meeting will be conducted with the BPI-PQS, and the first batch of the Farm-coded Durian Farmers meeting will be on May 7, while the second batch will be on May 9 involving Durian Farmers from Baguio District. The third batch is scheduled for May 13 at the Davao Food Terminal Complex (DFTC).
On May 13–17, a Fruits and Vegetable Trade Fair will be conducted at the DFTC. During the fair, a series of activities will also take place in the same location including a seminar on packaging and labeling of fruits and vegetables on May 14; an Agribusiness Forum on May 15; a seminar on Food Safety on May 16; and on May 17, a food processing demonstration will be conducted.
Meanwhile, Danac said that the second batch of post-handling management and food processing techniques in Agriculture training with UP Mindanao is scheduled on May 13. He said that the training will be participated in by farmers and fisherfolk from Paquibato District. The third batch of training is scheduled on May 20 to be participated in by members of the Rural Improvement Club (RIC) Talomo, Calinan, Bunawan, and Buhangin Districts.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, through the CAgrO, will also disperse 50,000 Tilapia fingerlings to the city’s fisherfolk on May 14 and May 24.
Danac said that interested owners of fishponds are advised to go to the CAgrO’s district offices to have their names listed for validation.
On May 15, Danac said that they will be conducting a Thanksgiving Mass in Biao Escuela, Tugbok District along with a series of activities to celebrate the farmers and fisherfolk in the area.
Technical Forums on Cacao and Durian will also be conducted on May 17 and May 23 respectively.
Meanwhile, for the culmination week of the celebration, a series of activities will be held at Rizal Park.
From May 28 to May 31, there will be an Agri Trade Fair; while during the opening program of culmination week on May 28, a ribbon cutting and celebration of the first RIC day will also take place.
On May 29, the CAgrO, in partnership with the City Health Office’s Nutrition Division, will hold a training session with stakeholders involved in implementing the nutrition program of the City. A training session on urban agriculture especially on container-rice gardening will also take place.
Danac said that the activities set for the month-long celebration also intend to ensure the food security of the city since food security also depends on local production.
The CAgrO continues to urge farmers and fisherfolk in the city to visit their respective district offices for their concerns, questions, and to avail of their services. CIO
