The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries continues to spread valuable news and information on agricultural policies and stakeholder engagement as it took part in the 6th Bicol Agri Summit held last July 27-29, 2023 in Pili, Camarines Sur.
Through PCAF’s Knowledge Management Section, various information, education and communication (IEC) materials were disseminated at the agency’s booth, including published copies of various PCAF-funded policy and evaluative studies as well as 2023 issues of the agency’s quarterly newsletters.
Photo courtesy of Julio Jastio
Organized by the Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (CSSI), the Summit aimed to “accelerate the progress of the agri industry by helping stakeholders make the transition to sustainable practices that protect both the environment and their bottom line.”
PCAF joined over 40 exhibitors in the Summit, which also featured live technical seminars from experts and showcased various technologies in the agri-fisheries sector.
During the opening day of the Summit, PCAF Partnership Development Division (PDD) Chief Melinda Quiñones discussed the Agricultural and Fishery Council (AFC) volunteer management and engagement. This was followed by PDD Technical Staff Rachel Abunda’s talk about PCAF’s revised Guidelines on the Engagement of Consultative Bodies (GoECB).
Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) Region 5 Chairperson Bernadette De Los Santos also shared her experience in the Council and how the local AFCs serve as the “voices and bridges” of the agri-fishery sector.
The second day was dubbed “DA Day” as it featured learning sessions from the Department of Agriculture’s Regional Field Office (RFO) 5. Edible landscaping, Urban and Peri Agriculture, Fuel Subsidy Assistance, and El Nino Forecast and Action Plan were among the topics discussed by resource persons from the DA-RFO.
Among the day’s highlights was the launching and awarding of Gulayan sa Paaralan (GPP). The program, which is being implemented by the Department of Education in partnership with the DA, aims to promote food security in local public schools and communities through self-help food production activities and fostering the appreciation of agriculture as a life support system. Farming tools and implements were distributed to the various local school recipients.
The final day featured discussions by agribusiness exhibitors on soil conditioning, swine solutions, modern broiler farm management, sustainable pig breeding through artificial insemination, and agri-financing. | BM
