LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Jan. 30 (PNA)–The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) has turned over to the province a system called Social Enterprise Development System (SEEDS) that will make Pangasinan a “viable agribusiness model for Northern Luzon.”
On behalf of Governor Amado Espino Jr., Provincial Administrator Rafael Howard F. Baraan,, accepted the system including three sets of computers at the Capitol Resort here where he was joined e concerned provincial department heads, private sector, academe and farmers’ cooperative.
Pangasinan has been chosen recipient for the project of the Department of Agriculture because of its high potential in agriculture and quality agricultural products.
Prior to the turnover, the group headed by Cheryl Marie Caballero, president and chief executive officer together with Dr. Manuel F. Bonifacio, technical adviser, Eduvigis Angeles, project coordinator and Froilan Orlanda, network specialist — paid a courtesy call on Gov. Espino to discuss the project.
According to Caballero, the SEEDS “is a process oriented system that will provide an access to right information, right technology, and right marketing strategy to the farmers that would empower them to become competitive, innovative and profitable.”
With the aid of the project, Caballero said it will help the province “formulate a holistic model for agri-business development plan to increase farmers’ income.”
Corollary to this, Bonifacio, an agri-advocate, urged the stakeholders “to create impact on the lives of the farmers by giving them a strengthened support through information network, research and extension so that a sustainable agribusiness development program will be achieved.”
The stakeholders who are tasked to craft the agribusiness development program of the province of Pangasinan include the provincial planning and development office, office of the provincial agriculturist, provincial population office, Agricultural Technology Institute, Cooperative Development Authority, Pangasinan State University, and farmers’ cooperative.
“Let us put our acts together as fast as we can and create a real difference in the lives of our people at the community level especially to our farmers,” Provincial Administrator Rafael Howard F. Baraan told the stakeholders as he added that “this is an ultimate success of a public servant.”
“All our programs will be useless if we have not seen the impact of these to the lives of our people at the grassroots level, and that they could say to themselves that Pangasinan is indeed the best place to live, work, invest and raise a family.” Baraan said.
“I want to see every family in Pangasinan stand-up and become productive, self-sufficient and dignified human being. That’s a tall order, and there’s no other way to go because this is the only way we should go,” the provincial administrator said. (PNA)