Cateel, Davao Oriental, February 23, 2015 -
As part of the advocacy of Davao Oriental provincial government to uplift
the living condition of its constituents affected by Typhoon Pablo through the
Building Back Better Program, the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAGRI) and the
of Cateel local government successfully launched the first Davao Oriental Oil
Palm Industry Development Project last Tuesday, (February 17).
According to Rotchie Ravelo, Provincial
Agrculturist Office head, the said project is an opportunity fo
farmers to develop another crop besides coconut considering that millions
of coconut trees were destroyed as Typhoon Pablo hit the province in 2012.
Based on tedious industry studies conducted by
experts, oil palm is one of the most practical crops to replace coconut as it
suits well to the province’s the climate, soil and topography.
Ravelo said that the province is targeting
about 1, 500 hectares of fertile land to be planted tooil palm this year.
Farmers who are qualified and interested to be part of the project are given
128 ready-to-plant seedlings good for one hectare.
The Provincial Government sees this industry
as a very feasible one that will give assurance of additional income for the
farmers and boost provincial economy.
The launching program is in time also to the
ceremonial turn-over of the first batch of Oil Palm seedlings to the first 100
farmers’ member of an association at Barangay Malibago here.
The pilot batch of seedlings was funded by the
Provincial Government under the Pagkain at Kita Program, specifically for the
Oil Palm Project worth P 5 million.
The distribution of seedlings will immediately
start as well as the briefing,trainings, and assistance that the farmers may
need for the improvement of the industry.
The said launching was attended by farmers
from Barangay Malibago, Aliwagwag, Maglahus, Aragon, Abejod, San
Antonio,Taytayan, and Mainit of this Municipality.
Moreover, Dr. Pablito Pamplona, a retired
professor and an expert in oil palm farming industry said that his engagement
into oil palm farming have been a decision he have never doubted after his
retirement.
Starting with 5 hectares of oil palm
plantation, Dr. Pamplona is now managing his 150 hectares of oil palm in North
Cotabato. He said that the Industry helped him to support and sustain his
children’s education after his retirement.
He said that the Typhoon Pablo Incident might
be a blessing in disguise because as he had encouraged, “Oil Palm Industry is a
very good and fast income-generator industry compared to coconut.”
Gracing the said occasion also were Junelito
Vicente from Philippine Coconut Authority, Provincial Aquatic and Fisheries
(PAFC) Chair Mark Pineda, and Cateel Vice-Mayor Isidro Castro who extended his
congratulations and gratitude to the Governor for the said project,
In his message Dashiel Indelible, the
Technical Consultant on Agriculture Special Concerns of the province said that
this is an initiative for development of the Provincial Government under the
leadership of Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon.
Conveying the message of the Governor Corazon
N. Malanyaon, Indelible said that this Oil Palm Industry Development Project
will teach the people on active participation and convergence for the economic
development of the province. He added that this industry will serve as the
backbone of livelihood and economic development of the province.
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