The Agri-Pinoy Framework of the Department of Agriculture (DA) calls for public-private partnerships to complement the efforts of the DA in boosting agricultural productivity. Recently, a partnership with the Central Philippine University (CPU) was forged by the Department of Agriculture to promote the general welfare of the people. Specifically, said partnership aims to alleviate the people from poverty through collective efforts by continually providing opportunities for the upliftment of the communities they serve. Both parties agreed to jointly facilitate the implementation of agricultural programs/projects for the improvement of the quality of life of the low income people particularly the small farmers/fisherfolks. To implement the partnership, a MOA was inked. Regional Executive Director, Larry P. Nacionales of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit VI, and President Teodoro Robles of the Central Philippine University are the principal signatories to the MOA.
The partnership kicked off with the start-up activities of the National secondary Training Program (NSTP) students which consisted of the greening and cleaning of the environment through tree planting activities at the Farming System Development Corp. (FSDC) Compound in Cabatuan, Iloilo, Sta. Barbara RIARC and WESVIARC premises, planting of vegetables, banana, and cassava in support to the food security/sufficiency program of the government. To promote transparency and equitable access of information to the stakeholders and clientele of the agriculture sector, the DA-CPU Knowledge Development Center Nook was put up to provide information on technology updates, research results and breakthroughs, and other relevant information on agricultural matter. Other projects for partnership implementation include the establishment of organic vegetable garden in the CPU premises and 15 elementary schools in the Province of Iloilo in support to the Gulayan sa Paaralan program of the DA; conduct of research symposium for agriculture students, and other interested parties; research fair; series of lectures/seminars; and other capability building activities.
The St. Paul University of Iloilo headed by Sister Carolina Agravante also signed its intention to partner with the DA RFU VI in the implementation of agricultural programs and projects. Technical assistance to develop the farmland of St. Paul University was already extended by the personnel of the Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (WESVIARC) headed by Dr. Corazon Arroyo. This is in support to food security/sufficiency program of the DA. Formal launching of the project took place on July 29, 2011.
Another public-private partnership was launched, this time with a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), the Negrense Volunteers for Change (NVC), La Carlota City Chapter as partner. NVC is committed to promote the general welfare of community members through provision of livelihood opportunities. For this objective to materialize, a partnership was formed between the NVC and the DA RFU VI for the provision of a livelihood program to the small farmers/fisherfolks and low income members of the NVC La Carlota City Chapter. MOA signing took place last May 10, 2011 between Regional Executive Director Larry P. Nacionales as represented by Regional Technical Director Dr. Joyce S. Wendam, and Mrs. Milagros Kilayko, President of the NVC. Turn-over of initial stocks of 60 heads to the NVC ensued after the MOA signing with SB Members Dr. Rex Jalando-on and Jimmy Mariño of La Carlota City, NVC Director Carmela Regalado, and officers/members of the NVC witnessing the ceremony. Also present were the project beneficiaries. DA RFU VI committed to provide NVC with a total of 150 heads for the implementation of the project entitled “Native Chicken Production and Dispersal Project.” This project was in response to the request of the NVC La Carlota City Chapter as represented by Cecile Rodriguez and SB Member Jimmy Mariño.
To ensure project sustainability, repayment in kind is being required from each beneficiary. The beneficiary has to repay to the NVC one head for every stock received (1:1). The stocks received as repayment will redispersed by the NVC to other members in order to give each member the opportunity to be provided with a livelihood project.
Recently, the Local government Unit of Cabatuan and DA RFU VI entered into a partnership agreement. The purpose of the partnership was to put up a community seed banking facility project to address the seed requirements of the farmers in the said municipality. DA RFU VI provided the farm site, registered seeds and organic fertilizers while the Local government Unit of Cabatuan will fund the procurement of other farm inputs, labor, and maintenance and other operating expenses for the project. LGU Cabatuan will repay the DA in kind equivalent to 25% of the net produce from the certified seed production to augment DA’s buffer stock.
To support the “tinu-om” business of Cabatuan, DA also provided 25 heads of native chicken for production purposes to ensure sufficient supply of native chicken. Cabatuan is famous for its “tinu-om”, identified as its one-town-one-product (OTOP).
The launching of the DA RFU VI – LGU Cabatuan partnership was attended by the DA RFU VI personnel headed by RED Larry P. Nacionales, Mayor Robert B. Maroma of the Municipality of Cabatuan, Sangguniang Bayan members, Municipal Agriculturist Rosario Resyes and staff, barangay officials, and the proposed farmer-beneficiaries.
There are still upcoming partnerships in agriculture to be forged for the purpose of providing livelihood opportunities to the small farmers and fisherfolks in order to alleviate poverty though collective efforts of both the public and the private sector.
Dr. Joyce S. Wendam, Regional Technical Director for Policy, Planning, Research and Development, Regulatory, and Support Services, is the focal person for this public-private partnership in agriculture.
Source: Vol. 1 No.3 December 2011, WESVIARC Newsletter. The Official Publication of the Department of Agriculture.