The Department of Agriculture Central Visayas, through the Adaptation and Mitigation Initiatives in Agriculture (AMIA) program, turned over a compact corn mill and farm weather outlook and advisory bulletin board to the Egang Carol-an Farmers Association (EGCAFA) in Barangay Carol-an, Ayungon, Negros Oriental Feb. 4.
The project, amounting to P743,500, was aimed at enhancing the resiliency and productivity of the local farmers in the face of climate change.
The corn mill is expected to modernize post-harvest operations, minimizing losses and increasing income-generating opportunities for the association, while the bulletin board provides weather information to help and empower the farmers in making decisions and proactively adapt to the changing climate conditions.
EGCAFA president Pepe Mondina thanked the DA, the Provincial Agriculture Office, the local government unit of Ayungon, and all those who contributed to the project.
He emphasized the importance of the corn mill and weather outlook bulletin, which will benefit the future generations of farmers, the DA said in a press release.
Vice Mayor Nilda Favillaran and Sangguniang Bayan members also expressed their appreciation for the interventions provided. They recognized the importance of these tools as they play crucial roles in mitigating the impact of adverse weather conditions, especially that the upland Carol-an area is highly vulnerable to climate-related challenges.
Antonio Tangayan Jr. of DA7’s Research Division, who is also the alternate focal for the AMIA program, highlighted the significance of strong coordination and cooperation between the LGU, the PAO, and the region for the successful implementation of the AMIA Village.
He said the AMIA aims to help mitigate the effects of climate change in the farming communities, adding that the equipment given will help lessen post-harvest losses and make the EGCAFA farmers be weather-wise in their farming practices and decisions.
DA7’s Negros Oriental Research and Development Center (NORDC) chief Bernard Limbaga, meanwhile, outlined the four key phases of the AMIA program, namely, organization, demonstration, enterprise, and sustainability.
He shared that EGCAFA was a recipient of other AMIA interventions, which include a multi-cultivator, fertilizer, seeds, four carabaos, and 16 piglets.
The selection of EGCAFA as beneficiary was based on the community’s vulnerability to soil erosion and water-related issues due to the region’s susceptibility to extreme weather events.
Through these interventions, DA7 reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing food security and sustainability in the region, empowering farmers to adapt to the challenges of climate change and build a more resilient agricultural sector. ||
