Capitol to give P1M aid to 45 LGUs

CEBU, Philippines – Each of the 45 component towns and cities in the province which implemented the Farmer-Scientist Training Program (FSTP) will receive P1-million financial assistance from the Capitol next year.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III announced this during the 8th FSTP Congress held at the Minglanilla Sports Complex last November 11.

The assistance will be utilized to support activities under the program.

The Capitol has placed agriculture as among the priorities of the current administration so as to achieve food security by increasing the productivity of farms and municipal waters.

Davide mentioned in his six-star agenda the FSTP as a proven formula to increase yields.

During the congress, the Capitol also recognized 10 outstanding FSTP alumni who reported increased farm production.

Among them was 62-year old Columbos Radan from Tuburan town who disclosed that his income from corn multiplied into several thousand after becoming a farmer-scientist in 2004.

According to a report from the Capitol's website, Radan said the annual income in his one-hectare farm only reached up to only P30,000 before he joined the FSTP. After learning and adopting the best technology provided by the program, his annual income rose to P515,000 per hectare.

"Dili nimo mamatikdan nga mao ni imong kita kay magasto man 'na nimo kada-adlaw. Pero tungod sa FSTP, nakapa-eskuyla ko's lima nako ka-anak sa college," he said.

Other  awardees were Prescillo Albores of Sudlon II, Cebu City; Emma Bebanco of Poro; Vitalian Borja of Cogon, Tuburan; Jovencio Lanticse of Argao; Jorge Llego of Ronda; Joseph Montanes of Argao; Arlene Montejo of Sudlon II Cebu City; Cesar Ramil of Taba-ao, Tabogon; and Vicente Ybanez of Bantayan, Cebu.

Davide also praised the local government units for recognizing the program as it has been proven as effective in increasing the income of the farmers.

The Provincial Agriculturist Office also distributed farm sprayers, drip irrigation units, and camote cuttings in the said event.

FSTP is a program that trains and equips farmers with knowledge on "sustainable" agriculture. —/NSA (FREEMAN)