The Department of Agriculture (DA) 12 under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Arlan Mangelen has set new directives to support and elevate the agri-fishery growth in Region 12 for the year 2021.
In a meeting of the agency’s management team on January 04, Director Mangelen has laid down the DA 12’s 2021 Policy Thrusts and Directions which are anchored on the twin objectives of the DA, the “Masagananang Ani at Mataas Na Kita.”
“Kahit na may pandemya, napanatili nating sapat ang pagkain ng mga kababayan natin noong nakaraang taon…Ngayong 2021, mas palalakasin natin ang sektor ng agrikultura at pangisdaan sa rehiyon at palalawakin ang serbisyo ng ating ahensiya,” the director said.
He also urged the DA 12 personnel to speed-up the implementation of Farm and Fisheries Consolidation and Clustering (F2C2) Program in the region.
“Mas maraming makikinabang sa mga programa ng DA ngayong taon… Dahil ang F2C2 Program ang tutugon sa lahat ng mga kakailanganing interbensiyon ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda.” he added.
This year, the DA 12 has a total budget allocation of more than PhP 2.4-Billion for the recovery of agri-fishery sector in SOCCSKSARGEN area. Rice program accounts for the largest bulk of the budget at PhP 1.2-billion, Livestock with PhP 51-million, Corn Program with PhP 124.9-M, PhP 68.4-M is allotted to High Value Crops and Development Program and PhP 12.4-M for Organic Agriculture Program.
“Sa pondo na meron tayo ngayon, mas maraming mga magsasaka at mangingisda ang mapagsisilbihan natin tungo sa “Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita,” director Mangelen said.
Moreover, with a total budget amounting to PhP 2.3-M, director Mangelen has vowed to support and boost the Halal Industry.
“May potensyal ang Halal Industry sa ating rehiyon. Manguna tayo sa pagpromote at pagpapalakas ng industriyang ito,” he said.
Further, with the country’s new record of rice production level, the director also lauded the accomplishments and efforts of the DA 12.
“Sa taong 2020, nakapagtala ang Pilipinas ng nasa 19.44 million metric tons sa rice production. Kaisa po ang rehiyon natin sa mga nakapagpalago at nakapagpanatili sa produksiyon ng palay sa ating bansa,” director Mangelen said. # # # (Justin G. Aquino / DA-RFO XII, RAFIS)
