LAGAWE, Ifugao – – Thousands of farmers and their families are eagerly awaiting the availment of benefits from the planned initiatives of the Hingyon municipal government as spelled out in the just-concluded Farmers Day program. It was held at Namulditan Trading Post. Namulditan, a predominantly farming barangay, is one of the 12 villages of Hingyon.
The municipal government has identified agriculture as a top priority for next year.
The Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) partnered with the municipal government to check the pulse of 160 members of the Federation of Farmers, Rural Improvement Clubs and Agriculture and Fisheries Council regarding their plans or projects and personal as well as collective financial situations. The federation is headed by Milagros Dulnuan, who is widely known for her dedication to uplift the conditions of cash-strapped farmers. The federation has 38 farmer organizations-members.
The federation reportedly forwarded recently a project proposal to the Department of Agriculture. The proposal seeks a funding of Php 1 million for acquisition of vital farm equipment.
Palay (unhushed rice) and vegetable farms alone, which represent a major crop output in Hingyon’s agriculture sector, still registered low revenues to boost local economy due to a host of problems faced by poor farmers.
Contraction of native “tinawon” rice production is quite bad. Like in many other Ifugao towns, “tinawon” rice yield weakened due to many factors such as poor irrigation systems, crude implements being used, backward practices and cultural hang ups.
“The Federation of Farmers has been at the forefront of advancing the cause of the agriculture sector since its formation, and this auspicious event is a timely milestone in people’s organization’s partnership with the municipal government and other stakeholders in ensuring a better future for our farmers,” Vice Mayor Avelino Dinamling said.
In an exclusive interview with the ZigZag Weekly, Vice Mayor Dinamling cited the need to urgently attend to the problems of farmers since “they are pinning their hopes on them as their voices in the decision-making process.” Over the years, Vice Mayor Dinamling has been lauded for his exemplary leadership in embarking on pro-farmer initiatives.
Still, Dinamling says farmers have a vital role in society because they are the “backbone of the economy.” “Act on their problems,” he declared. “Only then, can we give meaning to the assertion that they are the unsung heroes of the nation,” he stressed.
Mayor Geraldo Luglug also exhorted the farmers to double their efforts as a means of boosting agriculture. He also wished that the federation continues its aspirations for economic growth.
For her part, acting Provincial Agriculturist Catherine Buenaventura noted that it is but fitting to hold a Farmers Day program here to celebrate and recognize the important role they play not just within the industry but in the nation’s economy and the society.
“Organic farming needs to be strengthened,” she said. The nation’s future remains bright as the Provincial Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Office (PAENRO) head asserts the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and many other regions are turning to organic agriculture as a solution to addressing food security issues and the threats of climate change.
Participants and guests loudly applauded her for her message and developing various pro-poor, pro-farmer platforms of the PAENRO. Never had any past PAENRO head manifested genuine concern for the people in Ifugao gauging by the programs, projects and activities Ms. Buenaventura has pursued.
APCO-IFUGAO Charlemagne Munayao and Alma Bay-ong, who represented Board Member Noli Maguiwe, also spoke.
The staging of the historic Farmers Day program here was deemed significant since the occasion fulfilled the intent and purposes of an ordinance passed by the Sangguniang Bayan setting forth such activity.
Councilor Aquilino Namingit said: “2017 poised to be a challenging year for our farmers, but we persevered and continued to provide them full support and assistance.” He is the chairman of the committee on agriculture.
The municipal council is a key partner of the town’s farmers. Their experience with Vice Mayor Dinamling and the councilors will give this partnership strong dimension as well as great depth and reach to promote the common good. Apart from Councilor Namingit, the Sangguniang Bayan is also composed of Maximillian Luglug, Isabel Bittag, Mysan Binwag, Delfin Buligon, Maria Habbiling, Bernardino Dogwe and Ronnie Gumatin.
All told, the destiny of Hingyon remains within reach. The strategic partnership between the federation, municipal government and the MAO is of great value. The collaboration aims to focus on upgrading the stock of the agriculture sector.
“The partnership comes at an opportune time for our farmers in Hingyon, where the potentials of growth in agriculture remain high,” said Martha Urbano, the articulate and dedicated municipal agriculture officer.
“This collaboration with the tillers of the soil is a step towards that direction,” she added.
This sentiment was shared by agriculture technician Frederick Caclini who also served as the emcee of the five-hour program.
The optimism of all of those who are truly caring for the peasants is rooted in the harmony with the nurturing and enriching experiences of farmers among the men and women of the MAO. They include Jayval Tuguinay, Estrelita Ngatiyon, Lynieth Dumingyay, Glen Joy Cumahling, Jennifer Gano, Roberto Na-cha and Mariano Lumalig. Certainly, Ms. Urbano is so proud of her personnel.
Hingyon has a comprehensive system of support services for farmers. Themed “Safe food from farm to table,” the interactive activity easily reflected the essence of the fact that indeed organic farming is yet one of the most important and promising developments in recent history. It is a declaration that the use of pesticides, herbicides and other harmful substances offers nothing good at all.
Possibly, when one thinks of increased income and empowerment of farmers in a not so distant future, the Farmer’s Day in Hingyon- a fifth class agriculture municipality of about 9,500 people, shall be attributed to as its catalyst.** By Anthony A. Araos