ILOILO – A farmers’ group here hopes for a better government management of the agriculture sector with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. himself heading the Department of Agriculture (DA).
“Ga-expect kami sang mga ginapangako ya during the campaign period,” said Lea Deala, president of the Tinocuan Integrated Farmers Association in Dingle town and vice president of the Dingle Federation of Farmers Association.
Among these, Deala said, are more farm-to-market roads for the easy transport of agricultural goods.
“Pareho diri sa amon, ang problema diri lubak-lubak ang farm-to-market road,” she said.
Deala said Iloilo farmers also look forward to government trainings and seminars that would improve their yield.
“Gusto sang mga farmers nga maka-attend trainings on farm technology. Tani himuon ini sa mga barangay mismo,” said Deala.
While they appreciate the school-on-air program of the Department of Agriculture, said Deala, some rural areas have poor radio signal thus farmers could not listen to the program.
Trainings done in the city, on the other hand, would be too taxing for poor farmers already, Deala added.
Deala said they are also hopeful that the government will address the high price of farm inputs.
“Ang mga farmers naga-agunto na to the point nga indi na sila kuno manguma kay ti mapirdi man lang kon wala paruros,” Deala said.
Some farmers are even considering selling their farms already, she revealed.
“I-subsidize tani ang mga farmers,” said Deala.
“Although gina-subsidize man sang government ang part sang binhi kag abono, pero indi man ka trespasir,” said Deala./PN
