DA-12 chief urges CEMIARC to deepen study on HVC
KORONADAL CITY
- Employees of the Central Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center
(CEMIARC) of the Department of Agriculture 12 based in Tupi, South Cotabato
highlighted their station’s 58th founding anniversary with a farmers’ field
day.
At least 50
farmers from different local government units of South Cotabato province were
invited to join the celebration with a Holy Mass celebrated early in the
morning at 7:30 in the morning.
Participants
were then toured around the said station such as at various production areas,
organic vermi-composting facilities, nursery area, and even at their food
processing facilities.
CEMIARC, being
one of the DA’s research arms in Region 12 is tasked to undertake studies
purposely for the improvement and promotion of the existing agricultural
products like corn and high value crops as well as industrial crops.
As it faces
another challenge-filled year, DA 12 Regional Executive Director Amalia
Jayag-Datukan urged the administrators of Tupi CEMIARC to utilize their
resources to achieve balance developments within its scope of operations.
Look at the
things that demand prioritization which could help the department in achieving
its Food Staples Self-sufficiency Program (FSSP),” Datukan stressed.
She also added
that farmers should practice integrated farming not only for family consumption
but think of it as a good opportunity to earn extra income.
Recalling its
milestones of development, Dr. Lorna P. Vilbar, OIC-center chief presented the
humble beginnings of the station which was established in 1953. Before it was
officially designed for Upland and Lowland, DA –CEMIARC Tupi was under the
administration of various national agencies like the Bureau of Plant Industry
(BPI) and Bureau of Agricultural Extension (BAEx).