LOS ANGELES, Butuan City - Farmers and Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) engaged in high-value crops can be assured that activities under the High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) will continue in 2021 despite the pandemic. This was learned after the conduct of the HVCDP Coordinators’ & Stakeholders’ Meeting held at ATI-RTC 13 last February 19, 2021.

Among the agreements/issues discussed were as follows:
• DA technical staff holding the high-value crops commodity will be invited for training.
• A face-to-face Training of Trainers (TOT) will be conducted and the Provincial Agriculture Office will identify the participants.
• HVCDP coordinators will encourage high-value crop farmers to insure their crops through PCIC.
• PCIC guidelines for high-value crops shall be disseminated once finalization is done.
• Training and Extension Needs matrix will be submitted on March 12, 2021 with the approval of the provincial/city agriculturist.

The meeting was attended by 15 participants composed of HVCDP coordinators and other stakeholders. Center Director Samuel Calonzo gave a message quoting that in Mandanas Ruling, the ATI will do the steering while the Local Government Units (LGUs) will do the rowing part in the delivery of extension services. He then added that in identifying the training and extension needs, it should focus on capacitating the AEWs to effectively bring extension services to farmers.

Romer S. Amante, DA-RFO Caraga technical staff, and Mary Jane Gonzaga, ATI HVCDP Coordinator, each presented their agency’s 2021 plans and programs under HVCDP.

Among the stakeholders present were Christopher Lindo, chairperson of Caraga Cacao Inc., and Jean Madelo, PCIC representative. Lindo discussed the Cacao Industry in the Caraga region while Madelo encouraged the coordinators to facilitate the application of high-value crops in their respective locality.