Isidro Acosta is chairman of AGRILINK 2015

Philippine Maize Federation (PhilMaize) vice president and Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Council (RAFC) chairman Isidro Acosta has been tapped as chairman of the 22nd Agrilink International Trade Exhibit, slated on October 15 to 17 to be held at World Trade Center Manila.

As a corn farmer, he cited the success of Cagayan Valley’s corn production has increased to 1.857 million metric tons, contributing 24% of the country’s total corn output as of last year. The growth is driven by the promotion of yield-boosting and cost-reducing technologies such as hybrid corn seeds currently being subsidized and implemented by the DA’s Cagayan Valley Research Center (CVRC); expansion of corn planting into idle and new arable land; investment in postharvest facilities and farm mechanization technologies to increase production, reduce losses and improve quality; and development of linkages to create a competitive and sustainable market for the corn industry.

Acosta’s expertise will help provide entrepreneurs, stakeholders, and consumers a better understanding of how regional agribusiness development can improve our supply and value chains as well as address the increasingly changing consumer demand and the new technologies needed to keep our agricultural products globally competitive. “The regional agribusiness development approach to Cagayan Valley’s corn industry creates a competitive advantage where it brings cohesiveness into the various corn development initiatives from the government and private sectors. Some of these include the continuous implementation of the DA’s farm machinery program through the provision of equipment such as four-wheel drive tractors and implements for land preparation, planters and multi-crop combine harvesters, as well as infrastructure support through the Cagayan Valley Integrated Agricultural Laboratory, One Stop Shop Agribusiness Center, Agribusiness Development Centers and Agri-Pinoy Trading Centers, which also provide marketing assistance to farmers and cooperatives. Moreover, Region II corn farmers lead in mechanized land preparation. There is also increasing investment on processing, value-adding and storage facilities. The Mindanao Grains Processing Center in Reina Mercedes, Isabela, for instance, is the biggest in Southeast Asia,” Acosta said during an interview.

Aside from having 11 private feed manufacturers, plans are under-way to establish multi-commodity corn processing plants which can produce by-products such as corn flakes, oil, flour and grits. These can also create unique value-added products such as Gourmix, a rice and corn-based instant food developed by CVRC. In addition, the DA has provided accreditation and certification on Good Agricultural Practices for 118 corn, rice and mango farmers in Nueva Vizcaya to ensure high quality and competitive products. The region is also planning to establish commercial swine, poultry, livestock, cattle and dairy production and processing facilities, whose components include forage development, breeding management, disease prevention and control, animal health and reproductive management.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/isidro-acosta-is-chairman-of-agrilink-2015/

PCAF joins efforts to strengthen aquaculture engineering

The National Consultative Workshop on Aquaculture Engineering and Aquaculture-Fisheries Research Development and Extension Agenda for the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization RDE Network drew participants from various government agencies, agricultural engineering organizations and the academe, including staff from PCAF and representatives from the Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Mechanization.

Around 100 officials from various government agencies, agricultural and aquacultural engineering organizations and academic institutions gathered on July 21-22, 2015 to tackle the development of aquaculture engineering in the country.

Recognizing the vital role of aquaculture engineering in the development of the fisheries sector, a National Consultative Workshop on Aquaculture Engineering and Aquaculture-Fisheries Research Development and Extension (RDE) Agenda for the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization RDE Network (AFMechRDEN) was held at the Electrical Engineering Building, College of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology, University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Laguna (UPLB).

Spearheaded by the UPLB-Agricultural Mechanization Development Program (AMDP), the Professional Regulations Commission-Board of Agricultural Engineering and the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries through the Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Mechanization, the consultative workshop served as a venue to strengthen and advance agricultural and biosystems engineering, particularly in the field of aquaculture engineering for the overall development and improvement of the agricultural and fisheries mechanization sector.

During the workshop, the participants reviewed and updated the aquaculture engineering-related courses in higher education institutions (HEIs) and the table of specifications in the board exams. They also reviewed and planned for the operationalization of the Aquaculture Engineering Practice of Agricultural Engineers and prioritization of Aquaculture Engineering Standards for development.

The workshop also focused on the training regulations on aquaculture mechanization and the Aquaculture and Fisheries Agenda for inclusion in the AFMechRDEN HEI Agenda.

Prior to the workshop, resource persons discussed various related topics such as the Agri-Pinoy Fisheries Program and the Status of Aquaculture Engineering in the Philippines; the Laguna Lake Development Program on Aquaculture Engineering; Industry Perspectives on Fisheries Engineering and Aquaculture Engineering; Status of the Aquaculture Engineering R&D in the Philippines; Aquaculture Engineering Courses as per Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Order 37 of 2007; and the AFMechRDEN Agenda of AFMech Law, among others.

UPLB Chancellor Dr. Fernando Sanchez, Jr. encouraged everyone to work more closely to address the challenges faced by the agriculture and fisheries sector through research, development and extension and policy development especially in aquaculture.

He also emphasized the relevance of agricultural engineering, particularly aquaculture engineering as an industry and as a professional practice.

The consultative workshop was organized in line with the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997 and the Fisheries Code that supports aquaculture engineering as a vital component in the development and modernization of the fisheries sector and in the implementation of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Fisheries Program.

Through the activity, the organizers also aim to address the provisions of the Philippine Agricultural Engineering Act of 1998 wherein aquaculture engineering constitutes as one of the scope of practice of agricultural engineering.

Furthermore, the consultative workshop is in accordance with the Agricultural and Fishery Mechanization Law which mandates the UPLB-AMDP to lead and coordinate the agricultural and fishery mechanization RDE program of all academic institutions in the country. The law also tackles the development of training regulations on agri-fisheries mechanization which include aquaculture mechanization.

Under the law, the DA is also tasked to formulate a unified National Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Research and Development and Extension Agenda in consultation with the members of the AFMechRDEN. 

Source: http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2015/writeup.php

NSC members join PCAF teams in project monitoring in Bicol

Driven by its commitment to foster greater participation of the private sector in agri-fishery development, the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) continues to make possible the involvement of the members of the National Sectoral Committees (NSCs) in the monitoring of local agri-fishery programs and projects.

NSC officers Raul Montemayor and Hazel Tanchuling visit the site of the Abuyog Small Water Impounding Project in Sorsogon City.

In line with this PCAF, representatives and NSC members jointly conducted monitoring activities in the Bicol region on August 24-30, 2015.

Held in cooperation with the Agricultural and Fishery Councils, Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Offices and local government units, the monitoring activities covered a total of 51 agricultural and fishery programs and projects in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon, most of which are programs and projects funded under the Bottom-Up Budgeting program of the government in 2014 and 2015.

PCAF-CFA Chairperson Arsenio Tanchuling visits a rain shelter project in Mercedes, Camarines Norte.

In a report submitted to PCAF for proper endorsement to the concerned agencies, NSC representatives tackled issues that affect the overall implementation of agri-fishery initiatives in the concerned sites and proposed measures to address them.

NSC members Dr. Ernesto Ordoñez, Aurora Regalado and Evangeline Palacio, together with a PCAF representative, conduct interviews about a crablet nursery project located in Calabanga, Camarines Sur.

Some of the issues are on the dissemination of information, delineation of roles and functions of concerned parties, availability of funds, proper documentation, site selection, market access and compliance to standards, among others.

The joint PCAF and NSC monitoring teams also reported on their findings on the funding, completion and management of programs and projects related to various agri-fishery industries such as farm-to-market roads, flatbed dryers, diversion dams, irrigation facilities, small water impounding projects, fishery facilities, trading centers, food terminals, rice processing centers, rain shelters, seed banks, farm machinery and organic farming.

Towards food sufficiency

PCAF Committee on Livestock, Poultry and Feed Crops Chairperson Rufina Salas and PCAF-CFA member Marita Rodriguez during their field monitoring in Albay.

NSC representatives who took part in the said undertaking are PCAF Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture (CFA) Chairperson Arsenio Tanchuling, PCAF-CFA members Evangeline Palacio and Marita Rodriguez, PCAF Committee on Food Staples (CFS) and Committee on International Trade Chairperson Raul Montemayor, CFS members Aurora Regalado, PCAF Committee on Livestock, Poultry and Feed Crops Chairperson Rufina Salas, PCAF Committee on Climate Change (CCC) Vice Chairperson Hazel Tanchuling and PCAF-CCC member Ernesto Ordoñez.

The NSCs are private sector-led consultative bodies which provide venue for government agencies, civil society organizations and other groups to discuss sector- or industry-specific issues and concerns.

source: http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2015/nscBicol.php

Japan’s 2KR-assisted AKBay Program Phase II renews hope in Guiuan

A total of 596 fishing households in Guiuan, Eastern Samar benefitted from the fishing boats and engines provided under the AKBay Program Phase II, while 424 other families were given farming inputs. (Photo courtesy of DA-RFO 8)

After almost two years since typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck, the Government of Japan continues to reach out to farming and fishing communities in Eastern Visayas through the Agrikultura: Kaagapay ng Bayang Pinoy Program for Typhoon Yolanda-affected Areas or AKBay Program Phase II.

On September 24, livelihood assistance under the AKBay Program Phase II was given to a total of 1,020 farming and fishing households in Guiuan in a ceremonial handover held at the town plaza.

Guiuan, a first class municipality in Eastern Samar with more than 47,000 people, was where Yolanda first made landfall, destroying over 10,000 homes as well as the locals’ major sources of livelihood: fishing and coconut farming.

Through the AKBay Program Phase II, the Government of Japan aims to assist Guiuananons restore their livelihood after the calamity.

Implemented under the 2KR Program, the AKBay Program Phase II aims to contribute to the recovery efforts of 8,500 displaced farming and fishing households in Biliran, Eastern Samar, Samar and Leyte. This is in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF).

Each aid package, worth P15,000, came in the form of farm inputs which include vegetable seeds, fertilizers and farm implements for farming families.

Fishing households, on the other hand, were given different packages such as one fiberglass boat (16 feet long x 16 inches deep x 16 inches wide), one diesel cool air 12hp motorboat engine, and municipal fishing paraphernalia, depending on their needs.

A fisherman starts over

Seventy-four-year-old Francisco Ablay of Barangay Camparang could not hide his excitement over the fishing boat provided to him.

Mang Francisco has been fishing for a living since he was in his teenage years. Until in November 2013, Yolanda robbed him of his lapu-lapu or grouper culture business including some cash and two fishing boats, forcing him to stop fishing for some time.

“I had lost all hope then. I used to earn up to P3,500 for my cultured lapu-lapu before Yolanda swept everything away. But I am thankful that I survived,” he recalled.

Mang Francisco has been living by himself for a few years now after his wife moved to Cavite to take care of their grandchildren. He recalled how he, on the day Yolanda struck, rushed to his nearby relative to save himself from the rising sea waters with nothing but the clothes on his back.

Through the assistance of different institutions, Mang Francisco’s life gradually returned to normalcy. However, because of the loss of his fishing equipment, Mang Francisco could only manage to earn P200 to P600 a week from fishing these days. 

According to Mang Francisco, the fishing boat from the AKBay Program Phase II will indeed help him re-establish his fishery enterprise.

“The assistance given to us by the Japanese Government is no joke. I know for a fact that the boats and engines cost thousands each,” he remarked.

Despite his deteriorating eyesight caused by cataracts, Mang Francisco is determined to get back in business and start culturing lapu-lapu again, “I am thankful to the Government of Japan for helping us here in Guiuan.”

Overflowing gratitude

Rose Mylene Lumagbas, together with her fellow farmers and fisherfolk in Barangay Trinidad, happily welcome their Japanese visitors.

Guiuananons holding ‘thank you’ signage greeted the Japanese officials and representatives from DA Regional Field Office 8, PCAF and the local government upon their arrival at the ceremony.

Among them was the group of Rose Mylene Lumagbas, 28, from Barangay Trinidad. A mother of four, Lumagbas eagerly waited for the boat provided through the AKBay Program Phase II.

“Fishing is our family’s only source of income and it’s the only work we can do since my husband and I were only able to finish high school,” Lumagbas said.

She added that the aid package will help them provide for the needs of their children, “All we ever want is for them to finish college and have a comfortable life.”

Together with her neighbors, Lumagbas travelled for around 30 minutes from the island of Tubabao to attend the ceremonial handover which coincided with the town’s 1st Fishers’ and Farmers’ Day.

PCAF Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan pays tribute to the resiliency and speedy recovery of the people of Guiuan after typhoon Yolanda’s onslaught.

Officials who graced the ceremony were First Secretary, Agriculture of the Embassy of Japan Kenji Terada, JICA Representative Yuko Tanaka, DA resident JICA Expert Takashi Fujimori, JICA Philippines Poverty Reduction Section Program Officer Sherilyn Aoyama, PCAF Executive Director Ariel Cayanan, RAFC 8 Chairperson Edgardo Codilla, Guiuan Councilor Cornelio Sison and other Sangguiang Bayan officials, and Eastern Samar PAFC Chairperson Inocencio Morallos.

In his speech, PCAF Exec. Dir. Cayanan lauded the Guiuananons for their resiliency and hoped that the support provided to them through the AKBay Program Phase II will motivate them to carry on the ‘bayanihan’ spirit in their respective communities.

First Secretary, Agriculture Kenji Terada of the Embassy of Japan reaffirms Japan’s commitment to support the realization of the vision for Yolanda-affected areas in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, First Secretary, Agriculture Terada encouraged the beneficiaries in Guiuan to make optimum use of the materials that they received under the AKBay Program Phase II. He also extended his sympathies to the Yolanda-hit locals, saying that the people of Japan are no strangers to calamities either, citing the Great East Japan Earthquake in particular.

“We hope to empower the affected communities for the restoration of the basics of livelihood. I believe our combined efforts will give the beneficiaries renewed hope and determination to overcome their difficulties,” he said.

Prior to the ceremonial handover in Guiuan, distribution activities for over 5,500 farming and fishing households were held in various areas in Biliran, Eastern Samar, Samar and Leyte starting April this year. Capability-building training activities on vegetable production in concerned municipalities have also been undertaken since late last year.

The ceremonial handover for the remaining 1,977 fishing households in the provinces of Biliran and Leyte will be held in the coming months.

source: http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2015/2krJapan.php

Sen. Villar voices support for AFCs at Luzon-wide congress

Sen. Villar keynotes the Luzon-wide AFC Congress held at the One Vittoria Hotel, Bantay, Ilocos Sur. 

(Photo courtesy of DA-RFO 1)

Senator Cynthia Villar expressed strong support to the cause of the Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs) as AFC members from Luzon convened on September 16 and 17, 2015 to tackle possible solutions for some of the pressing concerns that affect the agriculture and fisheries sector.

Sen. Villar, currently the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, reiterated that the farmers, fisherfolk and other stakeholders have her full support in dealing with the changes and challenges confronting them and the industry.

With the theme “AFCs: Sumasabay sa Hamon ng Makabagong Panahon”, the Luzon-wide AFC Congress commemorated the efforts of the AFCs to cope with the dynamic and evolving sectors of agriculture and fisheries through the years.

Held in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office of Region 1 (DA-RFO1) and the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council headed by Chairperson Vincent Adorna, the congress also highlighted the AFCs’ contributions as DA’s integral partners in the development of sound and responsive agri-fishery policies and in ensuring the effective implementation of local programs and projects.

In her keynote speech, Sen. Villar encouraged AFC leaders to continue to be resilient and steadfast in their commitment to the development of the agriculture and fisheries sector in the country despite the challenges they face.

She also briefly discussed some priority legislation related to the sector which she passed and co-sponsored, namely, the Sugar Industry Development Act, Amended Fisheries Code, Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, Farm Tourism Bill, Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act of 2015, among others.

Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) Executive Director Ariel Cayanan also graced the event and underscored the contributions of the AFCs in policy-making for agriculture and fisheries in the countryside which include Sustainable Corn Production in Sloping Areas and implementation of stricter regulations for meat importation, among others.

He also assured the AFC members that PCAF will continue strengthening its support mechanisms including the provision of quality, timely and cost-effective capability development activities and of technical leadership and guidance and administrative support to ensure the conduct of the AFCs’ regular meetings and activities.

PCAF Committee on Climate Change Vice Chairperson Hazel Tanchuling and DA-RFO 1 Regional Technical Director for Operations Dr. Paz Mones also talked about climate change and the Philippine Rural Development Project, respectively. Regional Fisheries Office Director Nestor Domenden also discussed the priority thrusts of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for 2015-2016 and the agency’s existing interventions.

Sloping Areas and implementation of stricter regulations for meat importation, among others.

He also assured the AFC members that PCAF will continue strengthening its support mechanisms including the provision of quality, timely and cost-effective capability development activities and of technical leadership and guidance and administrative support to ensure the conduct of the AFCs’ regular meetings and activities.

PCAF Committee on Climate Change Vice Chairperson Hazel Tanchuling and DA-RFO 1 Regional Technical Director for Operations Dr. Paz Mones also talked about climate change and the Philippine Rural Development Project, respectively. Regional Fisheries Office Director Nestor Domenden also discussed the priority thrusts of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for 2015-2016 and the agency’s existing interventions.

Members of the AFCs from the Cordillera Administrative Region and Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B and 5, together with representatives from DA-RFO 1 and PCAF’s Partnership Development Division, convene at the Luzon-wide AFC Congress. (Photo courtesy of DA-RFO 1)

By the end of the congress, AFC chairpersons from the participating regions endorsed resolutions to address issues in their respective localities.

Among the issues tackled are on the practice of vermi composting and implementation of Solid Waste Management Program in Region 1, allowing Ivatan fishers to use small commercial fishing vessel to fish within the 2-kilometer radius in Batanes and provision of green super rice in Region 3 for farmers to be able to adapt to the effects of climate change.

RAFC 4A called for the creation of a Climate Change Committee in all levels of AFCs in the region while Occidental Mindoro PAFC requested for the extension of the country’s quantitative restriction on rice. Likewise, the Sorsogon PAFC urged the DA to strengthen bottom-up budgeting process through the AFCs.

A resolution requesting for the total ban on the usage and sale of chemicals with glyphosate component was also endorsed, as well as the provision of fuel subsidy for standing crops that will be affected by El Niño. 

2015 Gawad Saka top 3 finalists picked

After a careful selection process, the 2015 Gawad Saka Search for Outstanding Agriculture and Fisheries Achievers now has its top three finalists as presented to the National Executive Committee (NEC) last September 17, 2015 at the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority Convention Hall, Visayas Ave., Quezon City. The top three finalists for the national level of the Search were selected for each of the 22 Gawad Saka categories following the field validation and evaluation conducted by the National Technical Committees (NTCs) which were created for each category. Divided accordingly into three groups for crops, institutions and research, and livestock and fisheries, the presentations were rendered by the NTCs during the breakout sessions. Each group was respectively moderated by Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority Dir. Clarito Barron, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Administrative Services Assistant Director Atty. Benjamin Tabios and Dir. Manuel Jarmin of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF). The final presentation materials on the finalists will be submitted to the board of judges before their deliberation on October 5. PCAF Executive Director Ariel Cayanan, who also serves as this year’s Gawad Saka NEC Chairperson, urged NTC members to continually draw inspiration from one another in ensuring the success of the Search this year and hoped that everyone’s efforts will help make Gawad Saka remain a relevant undertaking in the ever-changing agri-socioeconomic landscape. He also thanked everyone for the support being given to PCAF which serves as this year’s Gawad Saka National Secretariat.

AKBay’s reach extends to more families in Baras, Catanduanes

At 55 years old, Roni Valenzuela of Barangay Quezon, Baras in Catanduanes is yet to retire from alternating between two jobs—one as a construction worker and another as farmhand—to make sure that their youngest child will finish college next year.

His wife Roliza, 52, helps him by selling the produce harvested from their 100-square-meter vegetable farm at their backyard. With her meager earnings, the family is able to pay for household bills.

Until, on March 24, 2015, Roni received a P10,000 loan from the local government for a swine-fattening business through the local replication of the Government of Japan’s Agrikultura: Kaagapay ng Bayang Pinoy (AKBay) Program.

Where it all started

AKBay is a targeted poverty-reduction program that helps its beneficiaries start sustainable agri-based livelihood projects.

Implemented by the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the then National Agricultural and Fishery Council and now the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries Council, it is funded under the Japan Grant Assistance for Food Security Project for Underprivileged Farmers (2KR).

The program is intended for the poorest households in farming and fishing communities in 31 priority provinces identified in the government’s Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program. This is in support to the attainment of Millennium Development Goal 1, “Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.”

The Japan-assisted AKBay Program provides start-up funds worth up to P10,000 for each household-beneficiary. It is expected that the farm-household will be able to pay back the assistance fund starting from the second to the third year after the start of the project, at zero interest rate.

The funds recovered from the projects are pooled into a Roll-Over Fund or ROF which is used to assist other households from within the province where the original project fund was allocated.

Aside from financial assistance, AKBay also extends technical assistance in project identification, project proposal writing/development, and project implementation. It also assists in marketing the goods produced by each household under the program.

In 2011, 26 households in Baras became beneficiaries of the 2KR-assisted AKBay Program. It grew to 28 in 2012 under the second tranche and turned to benefit 101 more through the ROF.

Municipal AKBay Coordinator Pablo Tayangona noted the positive impact of the program in the fifth class municipality where agriculture is the main source of livelihood.

“AKBay helps augment the income of the families here in Baras. It is a huge opportunity for the beneficiaries to be able to stand on their own feet,” Tayangona shared.

He added that, in fact, the beneficiaries themselves go to his office to repay the financial assistance from AKBay and do not just wait for him to collect the money. Hence, in 2014, Baras recorded the highest replenishment among the eight municipalities helped by the AKBay Program in Catanduanes.

Baras Mayor Rodel Abichuela (in checkered polo) with the awardees of the second ROF of the 2KR-assisted AKBay Program in Catanduanes during the celebration of the Women’s Month in 2013.

In 2013, Baras Mayor Rodel Abichuela graced the awarding ceremony for the beneficiaries of the program’s second ROF. There, he saw the sustainability being provided by the program to his constituents

Determined to alleviate poverty in Baras, Mayor Abichuela decided to replicate AKBay locally and allocated P230,000 worth of funds under the local government unit’s (LGU) 2015 budget which benefited a total of 23 beneficiaries which include Roni.

Furthermore, the mayor had also pledged to shoulder the notarial fee of the acknowledgement receipts of the recipients to avoid additional expense on the part of the farmers.

With the help of Provincial AKBay coordinator Nelia Teves, the Municipal Agricultural Office made a few adjustments in the guidelines to adapt to the local conditions.

Municipal Agricultural Office OIC and Municipal AKBay Coordinator  Pablo Tayangona, Jr. (far left, in pink) together with Baras government officials, during the awarding ceremony of the locally funded AKBay Program.

 “For the locally funded AKBay Program, we decided that the beneficiaries should be enterprising poor — meaning families with monthly income of below P5,000 but have the capacity to manage agri projects. With this, we could expect that the beneficiaries would be able to pay back the financial assistance within a year at zero interest rate and with no collateral, as with Japan’s AKBay Program,” Tayangona explained.

According to Tayangona, most of the projects that the AKBay beneficiaries in Baras engage in are on swine-breeding and fattening, like the Valenzuelas.

“Using the financial assistance, beneficiaries can purchase two heads of swine at around P2,500 each and the rest of the money would usually go to the feeds. After four to six months, they would then be able to sell the pigs at around P110 per kilogram liveweight at the local market. At that time, a pig would usually have a liveweight of around 100 kilograms,” Tayangona said.

They could choose to sell both their pigs and buy one sow for breeding or they could also sell one and leave the other to be used as breeder — like what the Valenzuelas are planning to do.

Tayangona added that the beneficiaries are required to undergo orientation so that they would be able to manage their projects effectively.

With the implementation of both the Japanese Government’s and the Baras LGU’s AKBay programs, two to three families in all the 29 barangays in Baras are now engaged in agri-based enterprise.

Where dreams lead

Baras Municipal AKBay Coordinator speaks to beneficiaries of the locally funded AKBay Program.

Next year, the Baras municipal government hopes to benefit 100 more households under the locally funded AKBay Program.

Aside from livestock, Tayangona hopes that the beneficiaries could also engage in fishery projects.

"The risk is high especially as Baras is prone to natural calamities but we do hope to help fishing families here improve their lives as well,” Tayangona said.

To ensure the sustainability of the projects, Tayangona himself conducts regular monitoring at the field in spite of various challenges. Using what little income he has, Tayangona pays for his own fuel usage during these trips.

A father of three, 48-year-old Tayangona has been with the local government for 21 years. Aside from AKBay, Tayangona also coordinates activities under agricultural programs for 4H Club and rural women.

Being a farmer himself, he says that he is glad to see his fellowmen slowly rise from poverty through agricultural projects.

“I am happy that I get to be an agent of change. I don’t earn much from what I do but, for me, it is enough that I am able to help improve life in this town and be able to reach this ultimate dream,” Tayangona said.

He, together with the Valenzuelas, hopes that both the 2KR-assisted and the locally funded AKBay programs will be sustained for many more years and care for more poor families, as what the Filipino word ‘akbay’—which is literally having one’s arm over another’s shoulder—signifies.

source: http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2015/catanduanes.php