Farmers, fisherfolk, government partners, and stakeholders gathered in celebration during the culmination activity of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Month Celebration (FFMC) spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 8 (DA RFO8), highlighting the vital role of the agricultural sector in sustaining communities and ensuring food security in the region.
The activity marked the successful conclusion of the month-long observance dedicated to recognizing the sacrifices and contributions of farmers and fisherfolk whose hard work continues to drive economic growth and rural development. The program featured inspirational messages, presentations, and activities that showcased the achievements and resilience of the agricultural sector in Eastern Visayas.
One of the major highlights of the celebration was the turnover of various agricultural and fisheries interventions to farmer and fisherfolk beneficiaries, aimed at strengthening productivity and improving livelihood opportunities in the region. The activity also included the awarding of tokens to farmer and fisherfolk directors in recognition of their unwavering support and commitment to the agriculture and fisheries sector.
The culmination program likewise recognized excellence and innovation through the awarding of notable accomplishments in the agri-fishery sector, honoring individuals and organizations whose contributions significantly advanced agricultural development in Eastern Visayas. Young agripreneurs were also celebrated during the awarding of the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) National and Regional Winners, recognizing the emerging generation of agricultural leaders bringing innovation and modern solutions to farming and fisheries. In addition, the prestigious Gawad Saka Regional Winners were honored for their exemplary performance and dedication in promoting sustainable and progressive agriculture.
In his message, DA RFO8 RED Rodel Macapañas emphasized the importance of farmers in society. He described farmers as modern-day heroes whose dedication and perseverance provide food for every Filipino table.
“Farmers and fisherfolk are the backbone of the economic sector in the region. But we may not have realized that more than a backbone, farmers are the heart of the economic activities in the region. Without food in the region, we would die of hunger, and no economic activity would ever progress without the farmers ensuring that we have the raw materials for processing and food to eat. You have proven that the fields and seas in Eastern Visayas are fulfilled and abundant through the diligence and hard work that you possess. With the support of the government and all other stakeholders, you are overcoming the challenges in shaping dignity and hope in Eastern Visayas, particularly in the agriculture sector,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of continued collaboration among government agencies, local government units, and private stakeholders in creating more opportunities and support systems for farmers and fisherfolk across Eastern Visayas.
“The DA is continuously pushing for better tools, climate-resilient technologies, stronger infrastructure, the timely provision of the right quality of seeds and agricultural inputs, and marketing assistance. Our goal is not just to help you survive the elements, but to ensure your hard work is recognized and brings you the prosperity you deserve. The farmers and fisherfolk receiving recognition and awards through their innovations and victories show us what is possible,” RED Macapañas said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Osmeña Tajo, Manager of Apoy Benit’s Cacao Agricultural Farm, inspired participants with a message centered on resilience, unity, and the importance of empowering rural communities. He also highlighted that agriculture remains a key driver of economic growth and stressed the need to engage younger generations in farming to ensure the future of the industry.
““𝘈𝘯𝘨 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘍𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘺 𝘰 𝘦𝘣𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘺𝘢 𝘯𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘺𝘰𝘯 𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘢𝘬𝘢 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘯𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘥𝘢𝘭𝘢 𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘨𝘰 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘺𝘢, 𝘵𝘦𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘩𝘪𝘺𝘢, 𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘴𝘺𝘰𝘯 𝘯𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘪 𝘶𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘬𝘵𝘪𝘣𝘰 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘬𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘦𝘬𝘵𝘰𝘳,” Tajo said.
He also commended the farmers for their unwavering dedication despite the challenges brought by climate change, rising production costs, and market uncertainties.
“𝘉𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘮 𝘬𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘯𝘢 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘱 𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘢𝘬𝘢. 𝘈𝘭𝘢𝘮 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘱 𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘮 𝘴𝘢 𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘮 𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵 𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘸, 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘨𝘺𝘰, 𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘵𝘶𝘺𝘰𝘵, 𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘵 𝘯𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘮. 𝘈𝘭𝘢𝘮 𝘥𝘪𝘯 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘢𝘬𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘺𝘰 𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘥𝘢 𝘯𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘸 𝘱𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘰𝘵 𝘯𝘢 𝘶𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘨 𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘰.”
The culmination activity not only celebrated the achievements in agriculture but also reinforced the shared responsibility of uplifting the lives of farmers and fisherfolk who remain at the heart of the country’s development. Through the FFMC Celebration, Eastern Visayas farmers and fisherfolk were once again recognized for their invaluable role as partners in progress and champions of food security and sustainable development.