Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Agri-Pinoy Integrated and Diversified Program

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, together with private and government partners, signed on December 12, a memorandum of agreement on the Agri-Pinoy Integrated and Diversified Program for the Development of the Ormoc-Kananga (OK) Upland Range.

Straight from Las Navas, Northern Samar for the national launching of the Agrikulturang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino, Secretary Alcala proceeded via chopper to Tacloban City to lead the signing of the MOA which stipulated the pooling of efforts and resources to develop the OK Upland Range.

The program fosters a public-private partnership which endeavors to analyze the supply chains for the priority high value crops and livestock in Ormoc City and Kananga, Leyte upland range.

It also aims to improve the production and postproduction systems with emphasis on organic farming and good agricultural practices, establish consolidation centers to ensure product quality and market linkage, and enhance the capacity of stakeholders in managing competitive supply chains.

This will mean that the OK Upland Range, composed of the upland communities within the Leyte Geothermal Production Field, will become the center of attention for agricultural developments not only of one but of several service oriented agencies and organizations, Francis Rosaroso, DA-8 chief information officer, said.

The site is in the mountains of Tongonan between the municipality of Kananga and Ormoc City. It is considered the vegetable bowl of Ormoc and the place where the Energy Development Corporation's Leyte Geothermal Production Field (EDC-LGPF) is nestled. Interestingly, EDC-LGPF is the country's largest producer of geothermal energy covering a total of 107,625-hectares with a stored power capacity of more than 700 MW.

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