TABUK CITY, KALINGA – It’s all systems go for the Oct. 15-16 Cordillera region rice info-caravan and techno-clinic, to be celebrated here in the province.
Department of Agriculture –CAR Dir. Cesar Rodriguez explained that the occasion will be done here in Kalinga, being the rice province of the Cordillera.
Some 1,350 rice farmers from the province are expected to attend the two-day affair that is highlighted by updates from PhilRice, Agriculture Training Institute (ATI), Bureau of Post-harvest and Research Extension (BPRE) and Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM).
The rice info-caravan, a national activity celebrated by region aims to accelerate food production in the country, in line with President Arroyo’s Food Security Program, Rodriguez said.
Food security has become the top agenda of government after the recent rice crisis that hit many parts of the world, including the country.
Along this agenda, DA selected the magic 37 provinces as rice production priority areas in the country. Kalinga is included in the magic 37 to represent CAR.
Rodriguez said rice industry here has reached flying rates with the booming hybrid rice commercialization program.
Kalinga with about 19,000 hectares rice production area, is also a pilot province of PhilRice technology that has contributed largely to its rice production.
The Food Security Program of government is coined as FIELDS for fertilizer, irrigation, extension (and research), loans, dryers and seeds.
As multi-sector activity, government agencies play respective tasks strengthened by counterpart from local government units. ***L.Lopez
