Abra farmers press DA: Address our concerns

BANGUED, Abra -- Over  1,000 farmers and fisherfolk  here recently urged the Dept. of Agriculture to respond to their needs and concerns, in a forum in commemoration of Farmers’ Day with DA- Cordillera regional executive director Lorenzo Caranguian.

Farmers said they wanted immediate response for concerns like slope protection for eroded soil in riverside of Pidigan, small scale irrigation system for unirrigated garlic and ginger farms in Danglas and other towns, instgallation of concrete footings on muddy farms and paddocks, and water control system to limit excessive spring water flow in Abang, Bucay.

The DA awarded one  4-wheel drive tractor amounting over P900,000 to Dolores town under DA rice banner program and one   4-wheel drive tractor worth over P2,000,000 to provincial government under the DA corn banner program during the event.

Gov, Maria Jocelyn Bernos meanwhile told farmers that they will visit farms which were not yet included in their Biyaheng Bukid, a program the provincial government adapted from DA.

Other activities held for the farmers were raffle, bingo, parlor games, karerakit and horse racing. La Paz won the Best Kuliglig Float.

Also  present in the event which was part of Abra centennial celebration were  regional director Lilibeth L. Signey of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources who shared programs and projects for the fisherfolk  and vice governor Ronald Balao-as who welcomed visitors  and participants. -- Ginalyn B. Brioso