Farmers from the different barangays in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija and resource speakers engaged in knowledge sharing and meaningful interaction about technologies on agriculture and dairy buffalo program and farmers’ enterprises during a forum held last December 11 at the city’s gymnasium.
Topics discussed during the forum were “Dairy Buffalo Development Program” tackled by Ma. Theresa Sawit, PCC’s senior science research specialist; “Village-Based Dairy Buffalo Business” by Leoncio Callo, member of Catalanacan Multi-Purpose Cooperative; “Utilization of Biological Control Agent of Rice and Onion Insect Pest” by Marietta Agregado, Regional Crop Protection Center’s senior science specialist; and “Vegetables Seed and Seedling Production” by Gregorio Quiñonez of the Nueva Ecija Fruits and Vegetables Seed Center.
The event gave opportunities for the farmers to ask questions and consult with the resource speakers regarding their specific concerns including problems in farming and opportunities for investment.
In the forum, PCC Executive Director Dr. Arnel Del Barrio shared the on-going milk supplementation program at the barangay Poblacion East benefitting 40 grade schoolchildren. This was made possible, he said, through a memorandum of agreement signed by the PCC, Local Government Unit (LGU) of SCM, and the SDG Family-based Actions for Children and their Environs in the Slums (FACES) Inner Circle last September.
“Among the advocacies of PCC include the provision of additional income for farmers and their families and assurance that the next generation is healthy thru the help of the nutrient-rich properties of milk,” Dr. Del Barrio said.
City Agriculturist Dr. Jerry Rigos, on the other hand, urged participants to never be ashamed of their profession and that they should always be proud of being farmers.
“Being a farmer, for me, is the most decent and honorable profession because without a farmer we wouldn’t be able to eat and enjoy food on our table,” he said.
Dr. Rigos added: “If ever someone asks you what your profession is, never say ‘I’m only a farmer’ but instead say with your head held up high ‘I’m a farmer,’”.
The activity, organized by the Department of Agriculture-LGU, was part of the events in commemoration of the 18th charter anniversary and 6th Uhay Festival of the city.
