City to honor eight outstanding farmers

CEBU, Philippines - Eight Cebu City farmers will be recognized by the city government during its 74th Charter Day Celebration for having excelled in their field and for being an inspiration to the others to strive for success.

The awardees are Fernando Arcilla of Barangay Tagba-o, Lorna Borres and Rowena Zanoria of Adlaon, Ernesto Atuel of Cambinocot, Freddie Soten of Paril, Teodoro Borbon of Guba, Joecel Codilla of Lusaran and Rubilyn Patindol of Pung-ol Sibugay.

Each of them will receive P10,000 and a plaque of recognition from the city government.

Adlaon Tugbong Vendors Association and the COBCAWA Multipurpose Cooperative were adjudged as outstanding farmer association and outstanding cooperative, respectively.

All the awardees will be awarded during the launching of the three-day AgroFair at the Plaza Sugbo on February 17.

City Agriculturist Joelito Baclayon said that this is the second year that they chose a set of farmers to be awarded to inspire others to succeed.

He said that the agriculture industry in Cebu City contributes 20 percent in the income of the city’s market office.

The cut flower industry alone is a P20 million industry in the city while the fruits and high-end vegetables give the economy some P50 million a year.

Baclayon said that their thrust this year is more on improving the production and marketing system as they have figured that for the industry to grow bigger they have to assist farmers in the marketing.

Various marketing strategies were introduced to the farmers while the city increases their mobility by opening more farm-to-market roads and other interventions.

The city agriculture also organized farmers associations and cooperatives so the city may reach out to the farmers easily to provide assistance in various areas such as farm technologies that are provided by farm technicians deployed in mountain barangays.

Baclayon said that they are promoting organic farming which uses traditional farming practices like the use of organic fertilizers among others, which aims to abolish the use of artificial or chemical fertilizers.

The city is encouraging the farmers to adopt organic farming not only because it lessens their expenses but also promotes healthy crops.

The city agriculture regularly distributes organic fertilizers to mountain barangays. The city receives four tons of organic fertilizer and sludge of industrial wastewater from San Miguel Corporation.

Sludge refers to the residual of the treatment process conducted by San Miguel to its wastewater. Baclayon said that they have proven this as an effective fertilizer for fruit bearing trees and other crops.

Meanwnhile, the Cebu City Youth Development Council is in the process of screening the nominees for the 12th Search for Outstanding Youth of Cebu City.

Councilor Sisinio Andales, chairman of CCYDC, said that they will conduct the final interview on February 18. The Awarding is on February 24 where five outstanding youth shall receive awards in five various categories - High School, College, Vocational, Community and Professional.

Andales said that past awardees have now succeeded in their various careers. (FREEMAN NEWS)