The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it has recently distributed P1.1 billion of farm and fishery equipment and agriculture-related projects in Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said Compostela Valley got P457 million farm-related projects, while Davao del Norte received P646 million.
Alcala said the government provided the equipment and projects as part of efforts to ensure the full recovery of farm areas affected by Typhoon Pablo (international code name Bopha), which ravaged Mindanao in 2012.
He cited local officials and
farmers for their resiliency and their concerted effort to build back better farm facilities and improve productivity.
Meanwhile, the turnover of DA Projects at the Davao del Norte Sports Complex in Davao del Norte also provided venue, not only to deliver various assistance, but also highlighted the Aquino administration’s concern on promoting inclusive growth.
Alcala conducted an open forum, where farmers were allowed to air their sentiments regarding the programs of the government.
The DA noted that Davao del Norte is the leading producer of banana in the Philippines. Alcala said helping the banana industry cope with El Niño and wipe out banana diseases is one of a major program of the DA.
The government assisted banana farmers in the province by rolling out a program aimed at controlling the spread of fusarium wilt in banana plantations.
Earlier, the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association Inc. said the infestation of the fungal disease is sporadic, making it difficult to contain.
Fusarium wilt, also known as the Panama disease, has been dormant for the past 50 years, but has again appeared in some plantations in some countries.