Some 650 farmer-beneficiaries from the Metro Clark area are expected to benefit from the Clark Development Corporation’s seedling dispersal project in partnership with the leading producer of hybrid agricultural products in the country.
Now on its second year, the P112,520 agri-project dubbed as “Gulay para sa Kalusugan, Katulong sa Pagpawi ng Kahirapan; Prutas sa Kabuhayan tungo Sa Kaunlaran,” is part of CDC’s Corporate Social Responsibility Programs in partnership with East West Seeds Philippines.
The project was launched last year and has benefited some 470 farmers. The seedlings dispersal program of CDC on backyard organic vegetable production will benefit farmers from the cities of Mabalacat and Angeles, some towns such as Porac, Bamban and Capas including the Indigenous Community (Aeta) Group.
The CDC management continuously implements various agricultural and livelihood programs to uplift the lives of marginalized residents within the contiguous areas of the Clark Freeport Zone. During the initial seedlings dispersal turnover ceremonies at Clark Skills and Training Center on Thursday, Rommel C. Narciso, assistant vice-president for External Affairs Department said the program aims to cultivate the culture of farming in Clark contiguous areas. “Linangin natin ang kultura ng pagtatanim.
Baguhin po natin yung kaisipan na ang farmer ay mahirap. Sa ibang bansa po yung mga farmers sila yung mga mayayaman,” he said. Roberto Lintag, a farmer from Pio, Porac and first-time recipient of CDC’s seedlings dispersal considers the agri-project as an opportunity to develop hybrid-farming. “Malaking tulong po sa aming mga farmer yung programa ng Clark Development Corporation kasi binibigyan kami ng oportunidad na makapagtanim ng mga hybrid variety na binhi,” Lintag said.
Lintag also hopes for the continuous support of CDC to farmers in the surrounding areas in Clark. Melba Tongol-Malit, Porac municipal agriculturist, expressed thanks to CDC for also conducting vegetable production seminar along with seedlings dispersal.
“Kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa CDC, malaki pong tulong ang inaabot nila sa Porac. Actually nagkaroon po kami ng seminar on vegetable production para po matuto silang magtanim ng iba’t-ibang gulay sa kanilang bakuran” Malit said. The municipal agriculturist furthered that CDC’s agri-project will create extra income for farmers. Carlos Tuazon, senior agriculturist of Capas said various farmer’s cooperative in their municipality will benefit from the said project.
“Ang mga target recipients natin pwera dun sa 30 na members ng kooperatiba, may 50 farmers pa ang makikinabang sa project. This year mga bagong recipients naman para yung iba makasubok din,” Tuazon said.
According to Delia Maniago, agricultural technician of Capas, the seedlings being distributed by CDC are of good quality. “Maganda ang kalidad ng mga binhi na ipinamimigay ng CDC at talagang masipag mamunga,” Maniago said. Other beneficiaries include: Claro M. Recto Information and Communication and Technology High School, Lourdes Dapdap Elementary School and Villa Concepcion Elementary School.