As part of a continuing collaboration between the government and private sector, the Provincial, Municipal, and City chairpersons and coordinators of the Regional Agricultural Fishery Council (RAFC) of the Caraga Region convened for the 3rd Caraga-wide AFC Day on September 27, 2022, in Butuan City.

The activity was anchored with the theme “AFC for 3Cs: Collaboration, Convergence, Cooperation towards Food Security.”

OIC-Deputy Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) Julieta Opulencia joined the event with her video message and lauded AFC members who are relentlessly supporting the government’s effort toward Agri-fishery development in the region.

“You are volunteering your time and expertise for the Agri and fishery development of the country. You are bringing the voice of the region’s marginalized farmers and fisherfolks,” she said.

DA-Caraga emphasized the importance of the participation of the LGU, private groups, and partner stakeholders in the different programs of the agency in terms of agricultural development.

The event highlighted the sharing of local best practices of DA and LGU toward a resilient region amid the pandemic and economic challenges that will inspire more impactful projects, and strengthen rapport among AFC members.

Edilito Sangco, Municipal Agriculturist of Socorro, Surigao del Norte discussed the Socorro Agri-Fishery Enterprise Development Program (SAFEDP): Progressing Farmers and FisherFolk Out of Poverty which includes the Task Force Panguma ug Pangisda 2022-2025 blueprint that aims to a food-secured Socorro with a productive, profitable, and resilient Agri-fishery industry.

DA-Caraga also presented the OneDA Sustainable Feed Development Project dubbed Team Bahug highlighting the use of locally available raw materials; while Butuan City Agriculturist Engr. Pierre Anthony Joven presented their AgriBoost Project, a Smart and Inclusive Agribusiness Model.

RAFC-Caraga’s Priority Agenda was also presented during the forum.

After the discussions, a workshop was conducted to develop policy recommendations for the sector’s continuous development anchored on the Agri-fishery sector’s current challenges.

The top-performing AFCs in the region were also given recognition.

For more than 30 years, AFC has served as a partner of the government from the grassroots level in deliberating Agri-fishery issues and concerns and translating these into policy and program recommendations for the government decision-makers to adopt. (Lovely Joy L. Saludez/DA-Caraga)