MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/14 August) – The provincial government will launch on August 30 its Assistance for Low Income Communities and Settlers (ALICS) Project to showcase its organic farming efforts to around 1,000 farmers from the province’s 20 towns and two cities, an official said Monday.
The project, based in Diklum, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, is located inside the defunct Bukidnon Economic and Industrial Zone, which the provincial government converted into an agricultural site last year, Engr. Alson Quimba, provincial agriculturist, said.
The program covers operations of a goat breeder farm, rice and corn production, vermin production, nursery, fisheries, orchards and ornamentals, and livestock and honeybee production.
He said among the highlights is the showcase on harvesting and milling of adlai, a locally grown cereal that could be an alternative to rice and corn as staple food.
He added they will also introduce new farming technologies to farmers.
Quimba said they intend to convince the farmers to go into organic farming as it is the policy being pursued by the province.
“Definitely we are going to organic farming,” he stressed, although he conceded that “it won’t be abrupt.”
Gov. Alex Calingasan, in his inaugural speech in 2010, cited that he would prioritize agriculture and livelihood.
He vowed to set up a demonstration farm for palay and corn seed production in the former industrial estate in Manolo Fortich.
“This way, we are able to address the need for seeds as a support to our farmers and showcase our gains in palay and corn production. Indigent farmers will be our priority in the production of these seeds,” the governor added.
Quimba told MindaNews that during the project launch they will recognize 41 farmers who had previously received awards. (Walter I. Balane/MindaNews)
