KANANGA, LEYTE, Philippines — Members of the 802nd Infantry Brigade and 19th Infantry Battalion are now working on the gradual implementation of the livelihood enhancement programs for eight newly organized farmers and fisher folks associations in Calubian and San Isidro towns in Leyte.
This was after the military conducted the cassava and sweet potato production training, participated by 300 farmers in San Isidro last week.
The training, facilitated by the Philippine Rootcrops Research Center of the Visayas State University in Baybay City in partnership with the Fatima Multi-purpose Cooperative Incorporated, introduced modern technologies, excellent varieties of crops and techniques to increase production of cassava and sweet potato.
The lecturers were VSU entomologist Prof. Erlinda Vasquez, who dealt on management and control of insect pests and diseases on rootcrops; PhilRootcrops agriculturists Dioscoro Bolatete (cassava production technology); production expert and Germplasm curator Enrique Abogadie (sweet potato production technology); and PhilCrop Insurance’s Nilo Pesquera (on farmers insurance during calamities).
Lieutenant Col. Joel Alejandro Nacnac, 19th IB commander, said the training was the start of programs designed to help farmers increase their production for additional income.
The military in Leyte, headed by Col. Rafael Valencia, commander of the 802nd IBde, had been coordinating with the different government agencies in Eastern Visayas to ensure protection of the farmers’ rights and benefits. —1st Lt. Rod Vincent Babera, CMOO, 19th IB (FREEMAN)