LGU Manolo Fortich aims to digitalize Agricultural Data, presents FARMER program

FARMER project sets to change the agricultural setting at Manolo Fortich

The municipality of Manolo Fortich is gearing towards revolutionizing the agricultural landscape in terms of planning to digitalize the agricultural data and activities through what is called as “Functional Agricultural Resource Management through Electronic Registry” or FARMER presented by the Municipal Agriculturist Gemma G. Cania in a consultative meeting with various partner agencies and private stakeholders on November 24, 2022 at the New Government Center Conference Room.

This innovative project is a web-based system that aims to provide accessible agricultural data, links to e-learning sites for agricultural training and information, links to agricultural loan access, and marketing plan for buyers/investors and farmers and farmers’ organizations all in one; a pioneering project in the province that is a product of the ingenuity of the Municipal Agriculture Office. This project aligns with the municipality’s objectives of reducing poverty, increasing business opportunities, and food self-sufficiency through increasing agricultural productivity and increasing the income of the farmers and enhances capacity of farming households in managing their own farm and agri-resources by 2025.

The main purpose of the meeting is to seek consultation and commitment from the distinguished partner agencies and private stakeholders such as the Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Training Institute, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Science and Technology, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, Northern Bukidnon State College, REBISCO, Inc., HEDCOR Group, CJ Philippines and Anakciano, Inc. for the realization of the project. The proposed budget of the project amounts P14,381,601.73 which will run from November 7, 2022 until June 30, 2025. As presented in the meeting, the project includes the employment of Barangay Agriculture Technician or the so-called BATMAN with the coordination of the Barangay Chair on the Committee on Agriculture.

The consultative meeting is also graced by the Municipal Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño, Bukidnon Vice Governor Clive D. Quiño and First District Representative Congressman Joeman F. Alba and Chair on Committee on Farmers Coun. Elzevir A. Dagunlay who gave their respective thoughts about the proposed project. “I think nga nindot kaayo to nga programa makatabang to sa agrikultura sa lungsod sa Manolo Fortich. Muasenso na jud ni atong mga farmers ani. I hope nga with this forum nga ma-integrate ang mga idea sa consultation,” shared by the Municipal Mayor in his message. Councilor Dagunlay, in his message shared the importance of this project being one of the people behind this proposal. “We are to achieve the goal of reducing poverty of the farmers by 50% of the 4,141 farmers’ household by 2025. This is our response to the 4^th revolution of agriculture. This is also a kind of vision mapping of 2040 of Matatag, Maginhawa at Mapanatag na Buhay.”

On the other hand, Congressman Alba suggested inputs for the development of the programs. “Akong mai-suggest, if pwede lang, Ma’am Gemma, is to include the financial institutions in the portal because apil man sila sa supply chain. Financial institutions provide opportunities for farmers to be educated financially if they can avail their services and what products to produce and timelines to follow.” Meanwhile, Provincial Vice Governor Clive D. Quiño who was earnestly listening during the consultation brought along the Provincial Agriculturist Jaqueline Lagamon to relay the proceedings of the meeting to the provincial office to seek support and to hopefully adopt the innovative project in the province. “I believe this is a milestone. Nindot kaayo ni siya nga programa. Pagtabang kini sa pag-asdang sa kapobrehon sa atong mga farmers. There’s no reason nganong dili nato ni suportahan nga project.”

Through this innovation, the LGU Manolo Fortich through Municipal Agriculture Office is set to pioneer another project that benefits the marginalized. Asdang Manolo Fortich!