To promote agricultural development in the region, the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Caraga continues to build partnership with the Local Government Units to support farming endeavors.

The Department recognized that Barangays served as the primary unit of government where basic services are being delivered to constituents. As such, DA highlights the need to empower barangay officials of its programs, projects, and services and inform them how to avail of the agri- interventions.

A total of 306 Punong Barangays and Barangay Kagawad handling Committee on Agriculture participated in the recently conducted Information Awareness Caravan dubbed Agri-Barangayan – a dialogue with Barangay Officials from Butuan City and Agusan del Norte last June 18.

“DA’s desire is to empower the barangay officials with information for them to become active partners in agricultural development in their respective areas of responsibility,” said Regional Information Officer Emmylou T. Presilda.

During the forum, topics on how to avail of DA services and interventions were thoroughly discussed. Information on training and E-Learning from the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) was also shared while Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation gave inputs on Crop and Livestock Insurance. Philippine Coconut Authority also gave their share of topics to shed light on the programs for coconut farmers.  

From the information he acquired, Barangay Kagawad Mateo P. Diango is now interested to attend agri-related seminars. “As a Kagawad handling Committee on Agriculture, it is important for me to be aware of the programs of the DA and its attached agencies so that I can guide the farmers in our barangay,” he said.

The Agri-Barangayan part of the campaign to bring the government closer to the people. With the positive feedbacks gathered from the first leg, DA’s Agri-Barangayan will soon cover other provinces in the region. (Rhea Abao/DA-Caraga