Geared towards the development of the agriculture and fishery sector, the Department of Agriculture-Western Visayas (DAWV) conducted a two-day simultaneous provincial consultation for the crafting and updating of the National Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization and Industrialization Plan (NAFMIP), January 20-21, 2022.
The stakeholders’ consultation was attended by 230 participants composed of Municipal Agricultural Officers from the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental, representatives from accredited Civil Society Organizations, processors, and Bayanihan Tipon Centers in Western Visayas, and partners from national government agencies and DA-attached agencies and bureaus.
DAWV Regional Executive Director Remelyn R. Recoter said that NAFMIP hopes to guide actions and inspire a full range of stakeholders to take cohesive actions toward the development of the agri-fishery sector.
“NAFMIP focuses on shared vision across all sectors, that is why we want to include our State Universities and Colleges, and other sectors in this endeavor to ensure food secured, resilient, and empowered prosperous farmers and fishers in the next 10 years,” said Director Recoter.
The national agri-fishery modernization plan is a directional plan that is in comparison with other existing operational plans such as the Provincial Commodity Investment Plan of PRDP, commodity and fishery roadmaps, and provincial agriculture and fishery extension collaborative plans.
Director Recoter emphasized that the experiences encountered from these plans will be incorporated in NAFMIP to guarantee its holistic approach.
Part of the national plan is the presence of big-ticket investments like infrastructures which will encompass interprovincial and regional scopes.
During the 2-day activity, various topics were discussed about the National Agriculture and Fishery Modernization and Industrialization Plan. Regional Executive Director Remelyn R. Recoter presented the OneDA Pillar and Strategies and the Overview of the NAFMIP.
Meanwhile, Engr. Ruby Jane B. Octaviano and Dr. Eman S. Fernandez of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PMED) presented the Sector and Plan Performance Assessment, and the Commodity Approach Roadmaps. The NAFMIP Goal, Purpose, Outputs, and Plan Performance Management was discussed by Engr. Edwin Ceasar Ian Den S. Senobin of PMED.
The Chief of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division Maria Teresa T. Solis presented the Agri-Fishery Industrial Business Corridors.
Farmers are the most vulnerable sector to climate change. According to Director Recoter, the gross value-added of agriculture in Western Visayas has been a roller coaster. There is a significant decrease in the economic gross every 3 years that is directly linked to extreme weather events like typhoons and El Niño. Recently, almost Php5-Billion value of damages were incurred during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette.
As part of the orientation of NAFMIP, Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Operations and Extension Engr. Jose Albert A. Barrogo and OIC- Chief Engr. Moises D. Mana-ay of the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division discussed the Climate Resilient, and Agri-Industrialization Oriented Value Chain Analysis, and the Integrated and Climate-Proof Transport and Logistic Planning, respectively.
The last presenter during the first day of the activity is the Chief of the Research Division, Dr. Corazon A. Arroyo. She presented the Decentralization, Resilience-oriented, Inclusive and Pluralistic RDE.
Part of the 2-day activity is breakout sessions and group discussions to assess the regional and focal opportunities and constraints to sector transformation in the context of the OneDA Pillar and Strategies.
RTD Barrogo encouraged the active involvement of the participants during the activity to come up with outputs that will be incorporated in the crafting and updating of the NAFMIP.
Meanwhile, Regional Executive Director Recoter expressed her sincerest appreciation to the farmers and fishers as the front liners in ensuring food security during these trying times. She also lauded the local government units for their continued support of the agriculture sector. # # # (AJMSubade / DA-RFO VI, RAFIS)
