As the saying goes, to effectively solve problems, you have to dig at the roots.

Thus, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary for High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) Evelyn G. Laviña conducted a ground-level monitoring and evaluation of HVCDP implemented projects in the Caraga on February 10-.

Laviña said that their role at the central office is to craft policies and guidelines for the various programs and projects being implemented.

“We want to ensure that the policies we make at the top will really fit the needs of our stakeholders that is why we came here to personally interact with the farmers and see the real scenario at the regional level.  We also want to see how the interventions are being implemented and if the recipients are benefitting from it,” she said.

Moreover, Laviña said they want to solicit inputs from the stakeholders themselves on how the program can be improved further.

The group visited the Sitio Antipolo Farmers Association of Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, Inc. and the  Simbalan Rubber Farmers Association, Inc. in Agusan del Norte, the Agricultural Resource Center of the Office of the Provincial Agriculture in Agusan del Sur, the Magkiangkang Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MAMPC) in Bayugan. Agusan del Sur, the Farmers Alternative to Self-Reliance Multi-Purpose Cooperative (FASRMCO), and the Km. 7 Farmers Producers Cooperative in Butuan City.

Aside from discussing their projects, Usec. Laviña also discussed to the farmers about the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF), a lending program of the DA that aims to increase the productivity of farmers and fisherfolk by providing the necessary credit. Further, she shared about the Kapital Access for Young Agripreneurs (KAYA) a lending program for farming enthusiasts aged 18-30 years old which aims to bring back the interest of the young generation to farming.

The Undersecretary also emphasized to the farmers the importance of crop diversification for improved productivity and increased income.

On the other hand, Gerry Obsid, the Chairman of SAFABAI, a group of coffee growers from Buenavista, Agusan del Norte said he was really thankful that Usec. Laviña was able to visit their place for them to see their situation.

“I really appreciate this initiative of the government, that they really came down to our level because it shows their commitment to serving the farmers,” he said. (Vanessa P. Sanchez/DA-Caraga)