TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- Cagayan concurrent provincial agriculturist reported that the province is 267% sufficient in rice production.
In Pagdidinnamagan: Kapehan sa Kapitolyo on Monday, January 22, Provincial Agriculturist Pearlita Lucia Mabasa told the media that the province ranks second in terms of rice production in the region, just behind Isabela at number one.
Mabasa said Cagayan is number five in rice sufficiency nationwide, with Nueva Ecija at the top spot. Other provinces include Isabela, Pangasinan, and Iloilo.
The provincial agriculturist also claimed that the province is the top producer of white corn and that the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) is planning to enter in a contest under such category.
Cagayan was also adjudged as the “Peanut Capital of the Philippines,” Mabasa claimed.
Currently, the OPA is experimenting with Taiwanese businessmen on a hybrid rice variety in Cato, Tuao. Mabasa said the rice variety yielded 12 tons of rice despite being planted during off season.
She said if the hybrid rice could yield 400 cavans per hectare in the next cropping season, the OPA will adopt and introduce the variety to Cagayanos who currently harvest only up to 80-100 cavans per hectare.
Further, the OPA is also eyeing to make the demo farm in Anquiray, Amulung into a farm tourism site. Mabasa said a 140-capacity building for farmers and a farmers’ training center are planned for construction in the area. Visitors could also buy products grown in the demo farm, Mabasa said.
Meanwhile in the aquaculture sector, Cagayan has 104% sufficiency level for marine products, Mabasa claimed.
Mabasa said Cagayan is producing 76% of overall marine products in the region. These include inland aquaculture and
The OPA chief also said fishery farm stations in the province are continuously producing tilapia fingerlings.
Further, Taiwanese businessmen also expressed interest with brackish water technology in Aparri, which could augment the produce for shrimp.
Meanwhile, Mabasa said the provincial government is still implementing programs under Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) to develop roads for farm lands.
With the PRDP, the provincial government has allotted P600 million for three sites in the province. Northernforum.net
