The Tapaz Municipal Agriculture Office sucessfully held a 2-day farmers celebration with the theme “Panguma sang Tapaznon aton paumwadon, insakto nga presyo, teknolohiya kag makinarya aton suportaran” last October 29-30, 2019 at the Tapaz Civic Center. This event was primarily held annually to develop solidarity among farmers, enhance experiences, knowledge and skills in agriculture, and some sort of promotion of agriculture.
The 2-day event started exactly at 8:30 in the morning with a carabao and carroza parade. This was followed by an opening program with Hon. Roberto O. Palomar giving the welcome remarks particularly on the theme. Shortly after, participants were treated to talks from invited guests, resource persons from the national governments agencies spearheaded the information caravan and technology forum, and the ribbon cutting of the Agri-Fair Booth where the farmers’ products are displayed. PCA Regional Manager Jeffrey A. Delos Reyes spoke about updates in the coconut industry, while Ammie Saggue represented the Capiz Provincial Agriculturist Sylvia V. Dela Cruz on the latest rice enhancement program. The guest speaker Director Remelyn R. Recoter was represented by Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) Carolina B. Cornelio speaking about the comprehensive rice enhancement program through seed, credit, and machinery distribution to all qualified farmers’ associations with their respective farmer-members and the Department of Agriculture’s goals on increase production and income among farmers. The opening program ended with Vice Mayor Ma. Fe G. Gardose thanking all the farmers and guests who attended the celebration, and at the same time supporting the Mayor’s agriculture & fishery programs, projects and activities or PPAs.
In the afternoon, a technology forum on corn production, farm machinery, agri-business and marketing, and research and development programs were updated in connection with the current problems in the rice industry, particularly farmers. These programs were discussed briefly but comprehensively to answer the issues regarding rice and corn production, and support prices. The 1st day ended with a farmers’ night activity which included the grand finals of the Videoke Challenge, Cumposo, Binalaybay, and Ballroom Dancing contests, where the participants were farmers in the Farmer Organizations of their respective barangays.
The second day involved various agri-skills competitions: (1) Fastest in coconut dehusking; (2) Fastest on corn dehusking and shelling; (3) Fastest in cacao fruit-bean processing; (4) Fastest in Rice Milling (Bayu); and (5) Native Chicken and Piglet Catching. The 2-day program ended with the distribution of prizes for the agri-skills competition while the closing remarks were delivered by Mr. Benjamin A. Gutierrez, Municipal Agriculturist, by thanking all the farmers, farmer organizations’ officers, and members of the Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council. On a final note, farmers who attended the event say that it was an incredible celebration where they enjoyed the festivities, as well as learned a great deal of information that would allow them to be more cohesive and productive farmers, and they expecting more surprises for next years’ farmers day. (BAGutierrez, 110519)
Fn: TAPAZ FARMERS DAY 2019 press (111119)
