As part of its development projects to increase rural incomes and enhance farm and fishery productivity, the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project XI (DA-PRDP XI) has turned-over P127.3-M of agri infra to the Province of Davao del Norte.

The said agri infra includes a P117.4-M rehabilitated Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) in the Municipality of Sto. Tomas and P9.9-M improved Nursery with Organic Input Production and Common Service Facility in the Municipality of New Corella.

In her message during the inauguration ceremony on February 5, DA-PRDP XI Deputy Project Director Marila L. Corpuz highlighted the significant role of rural infrastructure in providing farming communities the connectivity to the processing and market centres.
“As we want to increase farm productivity, we should also ensure the quality of our farmers’ produce so that they will have an increased income and that is the very reason why we are so keen in implementing these projects,” said Corpuz.

Adding that: “These projects are a product of the combined efforts and the dedication to serve of our DA-PRDP Team and our active partners in the provincial and municipal local government units.”

These PRDP subprojects under the I-BUILD components of the DA are jointly funded by the World Bank, the national and local government units.

Davao del Norte Provincial Governor Edwin I. Jubahib has thanked DA-PRDP XI for the strong collaboration that resulted to the smooth and successful implementation of the said projects.

“DA- XI has been with my administration working closely throughout the implementation of these projects. And with this partnership and pooling resources, we will continue in gearing farming communities to be more resilient and provide much needed services especially to the most disadvantaged communities,” said Jubahib.

The 12.63 Km. rehabilitated Esperanza-Poblacion, Sto. Tomas FMR serves 11,400 Tomaseños traversing the 67 ha. banana plantation in Brgy. Esparanza, 147 ha. coconut plantation in Brgy. San Vicente, 60 ha. cacao production area in Brgy. Salvacion and the 400 ha. rice farms in Brgys. Kinamayan and Poblacion.

In his acceptance speech, Sto. Tomas Municipal Mayor Ernesto T. Evangelista said that the FMR has a big impact to his constituents as it does not only lessen the transportation cost but ensure the quality of their produce.

The improved Nursery with Organic Input Production and Common Service Facility in Brgy. Poblacion, New Corella includes two units of solar dryers, a warehouse and fermentary building. It also features a vermi storage facility and vermi composting beds with shed in support to the organic agriculture programs of the municipality.

New Corella Municipal Mayor Jorjan B. Federiso in her message said that the projects are a big help as they ensured and put premium on the quality of their agricultural produce.

“DA-XI’s dedication to reach even those far-flung areas inspires us in the LGU to do more and serve more our farming communities,” said Federiso.

Meanwhile, DPD Corpuz said that the turned over projects will also benefit the two IP communities in New Corella and 218 Mandaya/Mansaka and 253 Manobo in Sto. Tomas which is in line with the agency’s inclusive approach in agriculture. | via
Celso Campos Vergara, RAFIS11