DA-7 celebrates Farmers and Fisherfolk’s month, launches Plant, Plant, Plant Program

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Created on Tuesday, 02 June 2020

The Department of Agriculture-Central Visayas (DA-CV) joined the nationwide simultaneous celebration of the Farmers and Fisherfolk’s month and launching of Plant, Plant, Plant Program (Agri 4Ps).

The celebration highlighted with the recognition of individuals who have shifted or done a quick turnaround (QTR) from their profession to becoming a successful full time farmer-entrepreneur.
DA-7 Director Salvador Diputado, in his message, said that the recognition of outstanding farmer achievers during this event will give inspiration to the new heroes - our frontliner-farmers in this time of pandemic. "We need to give value to our farmers and fishers in the daily farm activities as they provide us with our daily food needs, making us resistant and free from illnesses,” Diputado said.
"I encouraged all of you to be with us always, to continue doing our daily tasks because we have a big role to play for the country's agricultural development towards food security,” he added.
One successful farmer achiever is Jane Macasero, a retired DA-7 employee, who opted to continue practising her field of expertise in agriculture by engaging herself into farming. She is now an outstanding practitioner and advocate of organic farming and owns the Living Fields Organic Farm in Barili, Cebu. She encouraged the millennial employees that regardless of what you have gone through during your stint in the government service, think of it as a blessing.
"These are opportunities to hone your skills and knowledge. My interaction and experiences with the farmers being an extension worker was my stepping stone that lead me to where I am now after my retirement. I am now a full time farmer,” Macasero explained.
Another farmer, Merilon Quiseo, who was represented by his wife Nerissa Quiseo, was a seaman turned poultry farm owner. His wife said, her husband decided to give up his profession and settled into farming.
"In farming, we are able to help more people and they are now successful in their own farming endeavors. We are engaged in the whole value chain - from production to marketing", she said.
Alfredo Oguis, a former International Consultant and Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council-7 Vice Chairperson was also recognized for his outstanding contribution in agriculture sector. Prior to his consultancy works, he was engaged in natural farming and was a consultant of the defunct Chamber of Vegetable Industry. Oguis, then applied for consultancy in Laos PDR and after 6 years, returned and settled as a full-time farmer. He is now president of the Tierra Organia Corporation.
DA-7 Technical Director Marina Hermoso, in her opening statement of the event, said that with this pandemic, we need to go back to the basic which is agriculture. “We need to encourage everyone to plant in their respective homes not only to increase food production but to provide food in every family,” Hermoso exhorted.
The event which carried the theme “Pagpupugay sa mga Magsasaka at Mangingisda natin, Tungo sa Sapat na Pagkain”, included an actual planting of vegetable seedlings by the DA7 employees to officially launch the DA’s plant, plant, plant program and to exemplify the essence of the celebration.
The celebration held inside the DA7 Complex, was livestreamed in the official social media account of the DA7 to create a wider coverage under the "new normal condition." Social distancing and other health standard protocol during this pandemic had been observed during the event.

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