The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office VIII (DA RFO VIII), through its Corn Program, convened a Corn Program Stakeholders’ Meeting at the ORED Conference Room. The assembly gathered key players in the Eastern Visayas corn industry, including farmers’ group representatives, provincial corn coordinators, Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs), and technical representatives from the Department of Agriculture.
The said meeting seeked to strengthen collaboration, improve productivity, and addresscurrent challenges in the sector. This served as a venue to evaluate ongoing corn initiatives, present updated policy directions, and craft action plans that support both smallholder farmers and the broader value chain.
In her message, DA RFO8 Assistant Regional Technical Director for Operations, Dr. Jeny Lyn Almeria emphasized the agency’s commitment to empower corn farmers and ensure that support services are timely and impactful.
“While the start of the year focused on setting our strategic direction and future goals, the current exercise is dedicated to situational assessment. This involves a comprehensive review of past actions, specifically: evaluating the interventions conducted, analyzing the efficacy of distribution efforts and technical assistance provided, and assessing the impact of capabilities acquired and field activities implemented.,” RTD Almeria said.
Dir. Almeria also encouraged stakeholders to strengthen cooperation, especially since the region faces climate uncertainties and rising production costs. She highlighted that inclusive planning and transparent communication are key to sustainable program implementation.
“Our programs and projects in the region are done in close collaboration, coordination, and cooperation with our AEWs. We, at the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 8, cannot do this alone. We need your assistance, and we acknowledge your efforts and support to the DA, after all we serve the same client, our farmers,” she added.
The meeting underscored the critical importance of robust coordination for ensuring that all interventions under the National Corn Program (NCP) effectively reach farmers and successfully enhance national productivity. Discussions also covered several substantive areas, including: Corn Industry Performance, NCP Directives and Thrusts, the presentation of CY 2025 Accomplishments and proposed CY 2026 Interventions, AEW and LFT Guidelines, Priority Programs and Projects of the Provinces, and Updates on the AMEFSS Request.
Stakeholders conveyed optimism that routine consultations will facilitate the achievement of higher corn output across the region while simultaneously upholding farmers’ welfare. The meeting successfully concluded with the formulation of a unified action plan designed to guide program implementation during the forthcoming planting seasons. This plan places significant emphasis on strengthening farmer participation, enhancing extension delivery systems, and ensuring the complete alignment of all interventions with the strategic goals of the National Corn Program.
