In an afternoon assembly attended by some 200 farmers representing 20 barangays, the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development (WESVARRDEC) launched its 47th Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center on November 23 in Poblacion, Dao, Capiz.
The farmers’ center launch was led by representatives of the partners and major stakeholders, all of whom expressed felicitations, commitment, and support for the consortium’s new member.
For his part, Dao Mayor Joselito Escutin looked forward to having a “helpful, useful, and functional” farmers’ center which will cater to their farmers’ needs and provide more realistic livelihood for them.
Vice-Mayor Loreto Eslaban also expressed optimism on the farmers’ center. Eslaban also cited how bulahan (lucky) the town of Dao is for having taken the step to realize their efforts for “sustainable agriculture.”
In behalf of Dr. Editha Magallanes, Capiz State University (CapSU) president, Dr. Raul Ticar, director of CapSU Extension Institute, explained to the farmers that their job is to assist the Dao farmers in terms of livelihood trainings. Ticar expressed commitment and willingness to help the farmers to further on their agricultural practices.
Representing WESVARRDEC Director Joseph Edward Idemne, Regional Applied Communications Expert Cora Navarra briefed the new audience on the consortium’s goals and particular targets for the newly launched FITS Center.
According to Navarra, WESVARRDEC can help enhance the capabilities of the staff members of the local government unit (LGU) through skills trainings and capability building activities. Navarra also cited the farmers’ benefits from the consortium, and urged the LGU to direct their activities for farmers’ profitable production.
Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Elizabeth Betito congratulated the new partners and urged the farmers and local stakeholders to avail themselves of their publications and technology primers for farmers and agriculture practitioners.
Representing PCARRD, Regional Techno Gabay Coordinator Anna Mae Relingo encouraged all farmers to benefit from the partnership, even as the consortium tries to bridge the Council’s initiative to the local agriculture units.
After these expressions of commitment and support was formalized through the signing of the memorandum of agreement, all leaders and farmer beneficiaries witnessed the unveiling and opening of the new center housed inside Dao’s Farmer Training Center right at the town plaza. (Niño Saavedra Manaog, CapSU-RAC Representative, WESVARRDEC)
