Monday, February 23, 2015

Oil Palm industry development project launched



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.

The Provincial Agriculture Office is very happy to see Cateeleños embracing this new crop by noteworthy interest in planting oil palm. (By Analyn S. Padullon and Van Jorain O. Rufin)

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