AKO Bicol Party-List Rep. Elizaldy Co started the ball rolling for his planned large-scale corn production for animal feed project to enhance the livelihood of farmers in the region.
Co said his initiative aims to expand Bicol farmers’ incomes beyond traditional rice cultivation, believing in the strong potential of corn production for animal feed to improve their lives as it can be done alongside rice cultivation, broadening their sources of income.
“Corn can be processed into animal feeds and this presents a big opportunity for our farmers to boost their livelihood sources,” Co said.
Co’s office spearheaded the “Consultation With The Irrigators Association and Rain-Fed Farmers Groups On Large Scale Corn Production For Animal Feed” in Albay on December 7. The event, which was held in The Theatre Hotel St. Ellis, provided a venue for stakeholders to learn about and discuss the project, as well as other programs of Ako Bicol Party-List.
At least 125 farmers from Albay’s Polangui, Guinobatan, Ligao City, Oas, Camalig, Daraga, Tabaco City, Sto Domingo, and neighboring provinces including Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, and Camarines Norte participated in the dialogue.
The consultation is part of the requirements of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to complete the project, hence, agency officials also took part in the event, namely, Earl Vincent Vegas, Regional Rice Coordinator, and Kim Joneh Antioquia, representing Engr. Amabel Bombase, Regional Corn Coordinator.
Engr. Dennis De Vera, Regional Irrigation Manager of the National Irrigation Administration, likewise attended the consultation.
Jake Pineda, who represented Rep. Co at the meeting, said the congressman is keen on improving the lives of Bicol farmers that’s why the lawmaker has been pushing for projects like corn and rice cultivation for the production of animal feeds.
He also said that among the benefits that farmers can reap from participating in the program include access to services, increased income, mechanization, and post-harvest facilities to ease their agricultural processes.
Pineda said the response from farmers has been positive, as they see a reduction in their hardships with a new system where the corn is delivered, cultivated, and processed at a fair price.
Jojo Elvira from the Philippine Maize Foundation, Inc., likewise shared his insights during the discussion. He noted that consultation was organized to formulate and implement Rep. Co’s vision for corn growers in Albay.
