Antique farmers hold 12th Congress
San Jose, Antique - Members of 39 Irrigators' Association in the province held the 12th Farmers Congress and Kalipunan ng mga Irigadores ng Antique (KIA) Assembly recently to tackle issues and concerns affecting the sector and strengthen the alliance of the association to various agencies.
It could be noted as of December 31, 2007 statistic showed that irrigation development in Antique has reached its highest at 74% or 15,551 hectares out of the total potential irrigable area of 20,884 hectares.
Acting Regional Manager Edilberto F. Lomigo of the National Irrigation Administration Region 6 who graced the occasion discussed in part the current rice situation of the country and effects of climate change /global warming. He also echoed the important role of farmers in implementing some mitigating measures. Further, Lomigo vowed to support undertakings of farmers towards agricultural productivity and food security.
Governor Salvacion Z. Perez on her part reiterated her all out support to agriculture development of the province while Congressman Exequiel Javier's representative Efren Esclavilla assured farmers of the continued assistance of the Congressman in providing equity/counterpart of farmers to Balikatan Sagip Patubig Program of NIA.
The event also gave due recognition to Outstanding Irrigator's Association for 2007 which was bagged by CARBALCON IA from the Municipality of Culasi. Gorgonio Tacuyan, President of the association received the award.
NIA-assisted Communal Irrigation System (compose of 55 CIS) constitutes 35.29 percent while Sibalom-San Jose Irrigation System -32.78%, NIA-assisted pump -.57%, CIS constructed by other government agencies – 9.15% privately owned CIS – 17.43%, pump constructed by other government agencies 2.59% and privately owned pumps – 2.28%.
Based on the agency's three-year projection (2008-2010), the province will be able to attain gross production of 150,365 metric tons of paddy rice at full development of the 20,884 hectares potential area and existing systems could attain the 200% cropping intensity desired in order to give farmers considerable increase in terms of income from the rice production.(PIA)