Marcos confers with Region 2 farmers, FCAs

By Leander C. Domingo

TUGUEGARAO CITY -- Sen. Maria Imelda Josefa "Imee" Marcos held a dialogue here with young farmers-awardees in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) and farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs).
    According to Department of Agriculture Region 2 Executive Director Narciso Edillo, the senator visited Cagayan Valley to fortify the enhancement of the DA's Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Program in the country.
    "It's not true that the youth are no longer interested in agriculture. The youth are primarily interested in earning a living. If they know that agriculture could earn them a decent income, farming has a lot of opportunities," Marcos said during her dialogue with young farmers on Sunday, February 12.
    A brainchild of the senator, Edillo said the YFC, now in its third-year run, is a competitive financial grant program by the DA for Filipino youth, whether individual or group, who are aspiring to pursue profitable and sustainable agri-fishery enterprises.
    He said these measures aim to encourage the younger generation to take up farming and fishery as viable career options.
    Edillo said numerous youth responded to this challenge that 100 were declared provincial winners in 2021 alongside a lone regional winner as finalist for the national level.
    During the event, Edillo presented 32 YFC 2021-2022 awardees who have successfully presented their business enterprises; a youth farmer in digital agriculture; six in mushroom; eight in vegetable; one in processing; and 12 in livestock.
    There were different Enhanced Kadiwa recipients whom Marcos also met during her visit. These were the Santo Domingo Multipurpose Cooperative, Aurora Citrus Marketing Farmers, Caviteño Isabelino Agriculture Cooperative, Christian Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative, Agrizkaya Cooperative Federation, and Integrated Farmers Cooperative.
    Edillo explained that Kadiwa promotes agribusiness investment opportunities, programs and projects implemented by the DA, as well as its attached agencies.
    He said this enables the public to buy goods at cheaper rates by creating a direct and efficient farm-to-consumer food supply chain.
    "Among the interventions are the provision of trading capital, hauling trucks, market matching, and other logistical support," Edillo said.
    Marcos also met other FCAs such as the Southwestern Solana Farmers Cooperative, Cagayan Seed Producers Cooperative, and Iraga Farmers Association who requested other assistance needed to bolster marketing and trade.
    Maria Rosario Paccarangan, DA Region Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division chief, said these FCAs need trading capital and trucks to widen their marketing coverage.