Efficient delivery of interventions and technology-based approach to farming stakeholders in the region will translate to achieving better yield and increased income.
This, according to Dennis R. Arpia, the newly installed regional executive director of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas.
“Let us upscale working technologies and research results ready for commercialization, intensify information dissemination to benefit farmers, and facilitate Good Agricultural Practices and Halal certification of farms to give farmers better and premium pricing for their crops,” Arpia told the regional officials and heads of DA-6.
Under his leadership, Arpia advised the division chiefs and employees to implement their mandates strategically to sustain the gains in production and income, and motivate farmers to push through with their production and marketing despite the emerging sectoral constraints.
In a news release, Arpia said although the agency has been providing subsidies to farmers to alleviate their plight particularly during the pandemic and calamities, the DA should focus on delivering technical support and knowledge transfer to fully capacitate and empower the farming stakeholders.
“Ang tunay nating trabaho ay magbigay ng technical support sa ating mga kababayan para tumaas ang kanilang agricultural capabilities. Kung magbibigay tayo ng binhi, magbigay rin tayo ng teknolohiya para lumaki ang potensyal na tumaas ang kanilang ani (Our real work is to provide technical support to our constituents so we lift the agricultural capabilities of our farmers. If we have seeds to give, we should also provide the technology so they increase their potential yield.),” said Arpia, who went on saying that farmers should not be considered as mere beneficiaries rather partners in community development.
Considered as the largest food-producing region outside Luzon, Western Visayas has large production areas for rice and corn, and an important livestock sector.
To handle the responsibilities of the region in terms of ensuring sufficient and quality food production despite the limited workforce, Arpia underscored that the mandates and targets of the Department should be taken through community-approach where members of the organization understand their respective roles and responsibilities, including proper management of people, resources, and time.
Arpia likewise cited the importance of timeliness, particularly in the procurement, delivery, and construction of agricultural engineering projects.
In turn, he assured the DA-6 employees that he will champion a transparent and consultative governance.
“I am asking for everyone’s cooperation. From now on, let us all work together with honesty, love, and respect. Our farmers should feel that the DA is their office and that we are their allies,” he added.
Arpia, who previously led DA SOCCSKSARGEN- Region 12 and DA Zamboanga Peninsula- Region 9, officially received the banner of responsibility from former OIC-Regional Executive Director Engr. Jose Albert A. Barrogo who is now the full-fledged Director III and the Regional Technical Director for Operations and Extension of the DA 6, in a turnover program held here on July 3.AAL/AGP/PIA 6 with reports from DA-RAFIS 6
