Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) headed by Regional Executive Director Abel James Monteagudo (center in blue) together with Mayor Victoria Plaza (in maroon floral dress) led the ribbon cutting activity for the turnover ceremony of the completed construction of the P21.1 million 2.7 km Sitio Gasa to Algon Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) to the Municipality of Trento, Agusan del Sur.

Farmers and residents celebrate when the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) turns over the completed construction of 2.7 km Sitio Gasa to Algon Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) amounting P21.1 million to the Municipality of Trento, Agusan del Sur.

The concrete road does not only support the rubber and palm oil industries in the municipality but it will also boost  the production of other high value crops like mangosteen, banana and cacao in the area.

“No more hassle. The farm-to-market road has changed our farming attitudes and encourage us to produce more,” said Razel Altieza, a banana farmer in Barangay Algon.

Altieza said that the common commodities in the area before were just rice and corn when the road was narrow and muddy every time it rains. “Farmers before were tired of expanding because of the hassle and big cost in transporting their produce. Now, people can see various commodities in our area. Farmers are inspired to expand and produce more because they can now save a big amount in transporting their commodities to the market,” Altieza said.

DA Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo recognized the good attitude and hard work of the farmers in utilizing their farm areas. “I believe the farmers here are industrious in utilizing their areas. Various crops are everywhere. This FMR will surely bring better production in this part of Trento,” Monteagudo said.

Barangay Chairperson Doreen Peñaloga recalled that most farmers were hopeless for the realization of the concrete road since there were farm owners before who were not willing to donate a part of their land for the road right of way.

“It was really a struggle on our part as barangay officials to encourage some of the landowners to donate a part of their area for the road, but with the help of the residents and PRDP’s processes in dealing with concerns like this, the problem was eventually solved,” said Peñaloga.

The concrete road connects from Barangay Poblacion to Sitio Gaza and has paved the way for the opening of the road to Barangay Tudela. “This road really helps a lot not just to the farmers, but also for the easy transportation of the neighboring barangays in going in and out of this area,” Peñaloga added.

DA-PRDP partners with the Local Government Units and private sector to provide key infrastructures and facilities to raise incomes, productivity and competitiveness of the farmers and farmers’ associations in targeted areas. (Fretcher Magatao, RPCO-Caraga)