Agriculture
Aklan Farmers, Fisherfolks Celebrate Volunteers Day
KALIBO, Aklan- Despite the challenges experienced this year in the agriculture industry, the Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AFC) celebrated its tradition of volunteers’ day to celebrate their gains and welcome the new year with hope and aspiration.
Arnulfo Magcope, the PAFC-Aklan Chair, said that the volunteers’ day was already a tradition among the Aklan Farmers and Fisherfolk. The third volunteer’s day and awarding ceremony were attended by a hundredth participants from the 17 towns of Aklan which was held at the Aklan Food Terminal at Barangay Pook, Kalibo.
This year, farmers and fishermen are still reeling from the economic effect of the COVID 19 pandemic and the soaring prices of commodities.
“But despite the challenges, we have many reasons to celebrate. Among them is the winning of Anita’s first place in the nationwide tilt Supply Chain Business Solution,” Magcope said.
The said competition was organized by the Department of Agriculture under the Young Farmers Challenge 2022.
Earlier, at least four teams coming from the Aklan Young Farmers Association had been included as finalists in the said nationwide competition. They were Anitass and Mambuhigh Integrated Farm.
“Another reason to celebrate is that we acknowledged the retirement of acting Provincial Agriculture Officer Salome David, where she worked hard for the strengthening of the PAFC,” Magcope said.
David, during her stint as the provincial agriculture chief, rallied for financial support for the PAFC. It was she who convinced the newly retired Governor Florencio Miraflores to give a P1 million allocation for PAFC programs and projects in 2019.
“I am thankful to former Governor Miraflores for her support to the province’s agriculture program. I urged the new management of the PAO to lobby for the increase of the budget dof PAFC,” said Salome.
Vicmae Lardaus, the PAFC Coordinator, said that she is also thankful for the support of men and women under the Municipal Fisheries and Agriculture Council all through the province.
“It was only Aklan who is celebrating the volunteers day in Western Visayas,” she said.
