DA, DND to transform camps into farms

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of National Defense (DND) have launched a joint project to transform idle or reserved areas in military camps into farms, and enable  military personnel to produce their own rice, corn, rootcrops, vegetables, fruits, fish and other food requirements.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and National Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin launched the project – dubbed as “DA-DND agricultural livelihood development program in selected military reservation areas” – last May 2, at Fort Magsaysay, in Nueva Ecija.

For the joint initiative, the DA has allotted an initial P5.78 million in the form of farm machinery, irrigation system, inputs, and technical assistance.

The DND, on the other hand, would provide personnel to develop appropriate idle military areas into farmlands, and oversee the food production ventures. 

Initially, the DA Region 3 (Central Luzon) office, led by director Andrew Villacorta, has identified 25 hectares of land in Fort Magsaysay, of which 10 hectares would be planted to cassava, five hectares each to rice and corn, and the remaining five hectares for future expansion.

The DA, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aqua-tic Resources (BFAR),  would provide tilapia fingerlings and other freshwater species to be stocked in Pahingahan Dam, within Fort Magsaysay, as source of fresh fish.

The DA through its livestock agencies would also provide military personnel with Anglo-Nubian and Boer bucks for goat production, and 50 head of chicken for broiler and layer production.

Alcala said seedlings of fruit-bearing trees such as mangoes, tamarind, and coffee would also be planted around the camp as added sources of income and serve as perimeter barriers to prevent informal settlers from encroaching  into the camp’s reserved area.

He said the DA would also help Fort Magsaysay personnel sell their excess farm produce during harvest season. 

Alcala and Gazmin  agreed to expand the DA-DND program in other military camps where there are idle areas that could be transformed into productive farms as source of food and additional income.

The DA chief even suggested that retired military personnel should be given priority to oversee and manage the food production ventures.

Gazmin expressed his gratitude to Alcala and the DA family for the joint venture and strong support, and said he looks forward to expanding the project in other military camps and reservations in Visayas and Mindanao.