The Department of Agriculture has extended P35 million worth of agriculture and fishery assistance to the provinces of Negros Oriental and Siquijor, after the recent visit of Secretary Proceso Alcala, its press release said yesterday.

Negros Oriental received P3.5 million worth of irrigation projects, hand tractor, and farm animals with implements; and P4.78 million for Siquijor, including a barangay food terminal in San Juan town and livelihood projects under the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

The two provinces received close to P35 million worth of agricultural and fishery projects, farm and fishery equipment and inputs for their respective farmers’ groups, irrigators’ associations, and local government units, the press release said.

Meanwhile, the DA leads the nationwide observance of May as Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month with the theme “Sapat na pagkain, Sama-sama nating kamtin!”

Alcala said the theme is apt as the DA is frontloading resources and focusing its efforts in attaining self-sufficiency in rice and other major staples by end of 2013, the press release said.

Activities to mark the celebration include the national convention of Pambansang Mananalon, Mag-uuma, Magbabaul at Magsasaka ng Pilipinas, on May 2-4, in Butuan City, expected to be attended by more than 300 leaders of farmers’ and fishers’ groups; national convention of 4-H (Head, Heart, Hands, and Health) clubs and young farmers’ organizations in Aklan, with the date still to be announced; and the fisherfolk director’s program of BFAR, where fisherman-leaders will serve as BFAR regional and national directors for one month, the press release added.*

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