BONTOC, Mountain Province – Twenty-five Department of Agriculture-accredited organizations in this town underwent orientation on July 16 for the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) program at the Municipal Auditorium.
The program aims to address the challenges faced by smallholder farmers and fishers, such as outdated production practices and continuous low productivity levels, which are often due to limited access to credit and capital, modern farming and fishing methods, farm mechanization, post-harvest and processing facilities, transport and logistics, packaging support, and information and communication technologies, among other resources.
Municipal Agriculturist Renato Falag-ey encouraged participants to understand the program’s significance, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning even in the agriculture sector.
He said countries like Taiwan have achieved agricultural success through farm and fishery clustering and consolidation schemes, resulting in increased production levels, higher incomes, and improved access to resources, technologies and markets.
Similarly, in a message delivered by Municipal Administrator Eric Fulangen, Sr., Mayor Jerome Tudlong Jr. recognized the value of processing projects and cluster, group, and community production.
He said these approaches promote coordinated value chain systems and achieve cost-efficiency compared to standalone traditional farming and fishing practices.
Recognizing the vital contribution of the agriculture sector, the mayor underscored their responsibility to shape the nation’s future through sustainable agricultural practices and ensuring food security for all.
Through the F2C2 program, the government aims to efficiently assist with credit, modern production methods, farm machinery, post-harvest and processing facilities, transport and logistics, packaging support, as well as information and communication technologies to farm and fishery clusters. – Shannon Anthea S. Pagaduan
