By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
LAOAG CITY—Farmers here welcomed the sharing of ideas and exchange of technologies with state colleges and universities (SUCs) in a national convention of the International Society for Southeast Asian Agricultural Sciences held September 21-23, 2017.
For three days, agriculture technology experts and researchers from SUCs, small- and medium-industry entrepreneurs, farmers, policy makers and other local officials from various parts of the country gathered at the Teatro Ilocandia in Batac City to discuss and cultivate new ideas geared towards utilization of agriculture innovations for a better quality of life.
For Romeo Ganiron, owner of Romaine Organics at Brgy. Ben-agan in Batac City, he said the convention is a great avenue for learning.
“This is a good opportunity for us to learn from the experts of SUCs. We are grateful they involved us in this forum so we could also share our own developed technologies and when combined with other ideas, the result is a lot better,” said Mr. Ganiron in a local language.
One of the highlights of the activity is a farmers’ forum where professors, scientists and senior agriculturists from the Central Luzon State University and Philippine Carabao Center in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija discussed at least four topics.
During the forum, organizers gave farmers the opportunity to know more about the so-called mushroom farming in the Philippines, a result presentation on the comparative study of a recirculating aquaponic system in a controlled environment, technological innovations on water buffalo and latest updates on farm mechanization in the country.
In support to local farmers, the national government through the Department of Agriculture and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) are offering various grants to target beneficiaries.
For example, the extended agricultural enhancement fund (ACEF) through LBP can now be readily available to interested farmers who wish to avail said program.
The DA, on the other hand, distributes farm equipment to qualified group of farmer-beneficiaries across the country.