BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental mulls utilizing 200 hectares of its lands to ensure the province’s food security.
Work has started for all capitol-owned lands to be utilized for both agriculture and livestock, said Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz.
“We are meeting with veterinarians, farmers and others in the agriculture sector on the efficient production of our food,” Diaz added.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has pushed for subsidizing the feed, labor and mechanized equipment of farm lands, he revealed.
In his inaugural address on Saturday, the governor said the Provincial Veterinary Office and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist will complement and integrate their services to provide Negrenses sufficient food sources — livestock, poultry, swine, crops, vegetables, and marine products.
“We need to protect our P6-billion swine industry and P4-billion livestock industry. Negros Occidental is one of the top livestock-producing provinces. We intend to remain as the top backyard producer of hogs. We will continue to improve the genetics of local breeds,” he said.
The Veterinary Office will preserve reproductive spermatozoa of Great Grand Parent from livestock, poultry, and swine for the province to have a continuous supply of affordable meat even during calamities.
The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, A on the other hand, will strengthen farm centers in the cities of Bago, Himamaylan and Victorias and the municipality of Moises Padilla and increase the number of seed banks to develop certified quality rice and vegetable seeds for massive planting.
There’s a projected food shortage in the country before the end of 2022. Lacson said this is a worldwide problem.
The looming food crisis is being blamed on the war between Russia and Ukraine, both the world’s top exporters of grains.
The crisis is further being exacerbated by some countries who have imposed export restrictions on food products./PN
