TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – Farmers, fishers, cooperative officers, bank representative, and other clients in the value chain in this province attended the second day of the “Provincial Consultation-Workshops on the Development of the National Extension Agenda and Programs (NEAP) for FY 2022-2028” held last July 14, 2021 at the Selades Apartelle and Convention Center.

Among the issues raised were as follows: difficulty in the loan application and approval due to stringent requirements, lack of technical expertise in operating agri-machineries, political biases, lack of fish hatcheries, lack of post-harvest facilities, the difficulty of marketing palay, oversupply of palay, high cost of inputs, among others.

Heracleo A. Paler, Asst. Center Director of ATI-RTC 13, gave his welcome message during the opening program in the morning. Center Director Samuel L. Calonzo, on the other hand, was able to witness the brainstorming activity in the afternoon. During his closing message, CD Calonzo informed the group about the possible effects of the devolution of functions of the Department of Agriculture to the Local Government Units. He said that some of the problems and concerns being raised may be addressed once the Mandanas ruling will be implemented starting next year.