DA-7 and DAR-7 ink MOA to support Cebu's enhanced countryside development

 MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU Province— The Department of Agriculture (DA-7) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR-7) inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Province of Cebu to support the Enhanced Countryside Development (ECD) Program of the Province.  The MOA was signed during DAR secretary John Castriciones’ visit in Toledo City on June 17.

DA-7 Regional Executive Director Atty. Salvador Diputado said that DA7, DAR7 and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia are in close coordination for the implementation of the ECD program that aims to provide the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) a better farming support through the provision of various agricultural inputs.

Diputado said that DA encourages farmers to organize into an association as the department is now into a clustering approach of LGUs to help organize the farmers and to enroll these farmers/fishers in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

Diputado added that the farmers/fishermen enrolment at the RSBSA affords them all the agricultural interventions like seeds, fertilizers and equipment.  Farmers are also requested to have their farms insured at the Philippine Crops Insurance Corp (PCIC) for any calamities that may damage their crops.

DAR-7 Regional Director Atty. Resti Osias on the other hand said that the agreement is an opportunity for DAR's program to be incorporated into the ECD for the better development of farmers and the agriculture sector in general.

Diputado said that DAR-7 director and Deputy Speaker Pablo John Garcia, Pinamungajan Mayor Glen Baricuatro and other mayors in the third district of Cebu will soon meet to discuss important programs of the ARBs in relation to the ECD collaboration within Cebu Province. (Photos: DA-7)