News

(as published in the Philippine Star, January 10, 2010)

Sen. Loren Legarda has called on the House of Representatives to improve the delivery of agricultural assistance to farmers by advocating comprehensive reforms in the country’s extension system.

Loren, chairman of the Senate committee on agriculture, aired the appeal upon learning that the House will work to pass House Bill 6883 or the Magna Carta of Agriculture and Fishery Development Workers among other priority bills.

The Agricultural Training Institute has launched the Farmers' Contact Center last November 28, 2009 at the Bohol Tropics Resort, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap was the keynote speaker of the event. The launching was attended by officials and extension workers from various government agencies and local government units and farmers.

by Maricel D. Dacapias
Information Officer II
 
SAN CARLOS CITY, PANGASINAN - The season-long conduct of the School-Children Field Schools (SCFS) at five pilot school-sites in the San Carlos City Schools Division was conducted from June 5 to October 21, 2009.  A total of 191 school-children and 33 school teachers were identified to participate and graduate in the pilot program. The five schools were:
 
a.    District I – Pagal Elementary School, Brgy. Pagal

by Marianne V. Go
(as published in the Philippine Star, November 17, 2009)

The Philippine agriculture sector posted a 1.5-percent growth in the first nine months of 2009, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) announced yesterday.

This is way below the 4.16-percent growth posted in the first nine months of 2008.

BAS Director Romeo Recide said there has been “a slowing down in the sector, which was largely due to the adverse impact of weather disturbances that hit the country during this period.”

by Teresa Cerojano
(Associated Press, Oct. 28, 2009)

CEBU CITY, Philippines — A drought in India and typhoons in the Philippines have damaged large tracts of rice paddies, threatening to upset the fragile food market amid fears of shortages and riots, experts said Wednesday.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap of the Philippines, the world's biggest rice importer, told an international rice conference the impact of the next "perfect storm" will be greatest on vulnerable countries like his, and the world's poor.

(as published in the Philippine Star, October 25, 2009)

Agriculture Undersecretary for field operations Jess Paras has asked Secretary Arthur Yap to order the National Food Authority (NFA) to jumpstart palay buying as his field men reported that private traders have been buying far below government prices in the aftermath of the two typhoons that hit the country in quick succession.

(as published in the Philippine Star, Oct. 18, 2009)

Sen. Loren Legarda, chairman of the Senate committee on food and agriculture, is advocating for reforms in the agricultural extension system, saying the salaries of some 20,000 extension workers must be raised to boost food production in the light of grave natural disasters caused by climate change.

by Rudy Fernandez
(as published in the Philippine Star, October 4, 2009)

Rosalie Ellasus has dabbled in many different fields. From working in medical technology, to becoming an OFW, then a farmer, and finally a leader and speaker giving testimonials on her success, Ellasus has truly crossed many boundaries and hurdled many obstacles to become what she is today.

by Jovito M. Laca
Media Production Specialist II

STA. BARBARA, PANGASINAN - A total of 43 scholarship grants under the auspices of the Expanded Human Resource Development Program and the Youth in Agriculture and Fisheries Program was awarded to lucky beneficiaries in the Ilocos Region in separate ceremonies held last August and September.