1st Cassava Production Field Day held

SIQUIJOR, SIQUIJOR, Philippines  — In support of the government’s effort for food security and self-sufficiency by 2016, the Department of Agriculture launched its P4.075-million cassava (kamoteng kahoy) production projects in the provinces of Central Visayas with the holding of its 1st Grand Field Day in this capital town last week.

National Cassava focal person, Dr. Candido Damo, together with the DA-7’s Regional Cassava Program Management officials graced the occasion.

Damo told the visiting farmers and stakeholders from Siquijor and the neighboring island that DA-7 is now taking the lead on root crops production as part of the government’s Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP).

“The government’s rice importation was reduced due to the promotion of cassava and other root crops. Cultivating cassava for human consumption can cope with the present demand of food supply in the country as alternative for rice and corn,” Damo said.

He said FSSP includes a set of interventions to improve productivity, increase farmers’ incomes and ensure the country’s food supply.

Damo urged the LGUs to be the frontline service providers to farmers by disseminating the appropriate technologies on cassava production.

Regional Corn-Cassava Program coordinator Francisco Sopsop told The FREEMAN that cassava techno-demonstrations for Central Visayas are being conducted in Ubay town of Bohol, Pinamungahan and Tudela towns in Cebu, Siaton town in Negros Oriental, and in Siquijor and Enrique Villanueva towns in Siquijor province.

Sopsop said the government now offers different varieties of cassava that would be feasible for venture by investors and assemblers.

“Cassava now is in demand not only for food but for alcohol, animal feed, paper, textile factory, medicines, adhesives, bio-plastic, among others,” he said.

Regional Cassava focal person Edna Yu said Central Visayas has 18,691 hectares planted with cassava this year and has targeted 120,914 hectares by 2016 with an expected average yield of 11 metric tons to 16 metric tons.

“Among the four provinces, Bohol has the highest area planted with cassava. For the next five years, our biggest expansion is from 10,000 hectares up to 64,900 hectares,” Yu said.

Siquijor Governor Orlando Fua, Jr. vowed to support the program and encourage all stakeholders to cooperate and do their share in the promotion of cassava program in the island.

“Our continued partnership with the DA and other stakeholders is a big help in providing credit and technical assistance to cassava farmers,” the governor added.  (FREEMAN)