BCAARRD participates on three-day virtual sessions, Inter-Agency Consultation Meeting on DA-RAFMP planning

Department of Agriculture (DA) conducted the Inter-Agency Consultation Meeting and Planning of RAFMP on October 20 to 22, 2021 via Zoom.

The invited partner agencies, including the Bicol Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (BCAARRD), as one of the component members on Research, Development, and Extension, took part in the virtual conference.

On the first day of the virtual session, Engr. Gilbert S. Salcedo, OIC-Chief RAED, Ms. Aloha Gigi I. Bañaria, Chief PMED, and Engr. Luisito R. Baltazar, OIC-Section Chief RAED-PPMS, presented and discussed the RAFMP 2017-2022 Assessment Result, DA's consultation outputs related to Agri-Fishery Mechanization, and overview of RAFMP 2022-2027. An open forum was facilitated by DA after the presentation of data to let participants, including BCAARRD, raise their questions and suggestions.

On the second day, Breakout Sessions and Write-shops commenced together with the participating agencies. Participants were divided into five components relative to the discussed plans in RAFMP. BCAARRD is one of the component members of the RDE.

On the last day of the virtual session, participants presented the output from the breakout session and write shop that was held prior.

This three-day virtual sessions aims to share data about the Department of Agriculture-Regional Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Plan for 2022-2027. This is also a call for consultation to the partner agencies that attended the said activity to improve the structural planning on the agricultural sector and fisheries mechanization.

DA quoting one of the statements of the DA Secretary Dr. William D. Dar reiterates the  need to “have a better parameter… you are excluding the best technologies if you are just considering the number of years that they are present in the market. What are the best parameters for farm mechanization? Hindi yung nakasanayan na, dahil nauna na sila sa mercado. There must be an equal playing field and may the best technology forward to be utilized by our farmers,” as DA quoted a statement from Secretary

Through the unity and goal of DA and its component agency, this mechanization may help famers and fisher folks strengthen their livelihood and increase the importance of the agricultural and fisheries sector. (written by Mayca C. Alim, SA)