LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Aug. 25 (PNA) — Despite the cocolisap infestation in the province and the damage brought by typhoons, the agricultural sector has shown resiliency and started to bounce back, said Governor David Suarez.
During his State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Monday at the Quezon convention Center here, the governor said the cocolisap infestation was brought down to manageable level through the joint efforts of the provincial agriculture office and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA). He added that coconut leaves have become greener and harvests have improved.
“Despite all these, we still have a lot to do,” Suarez said.
He added the Coconut Industry Development Plan has to be reviewed to provide programs that will answer the needs of the coconut industry stakeholders paving for the creation of a roadmap for the coconut industry in the province.
Meanwhile, the governor recognized the contribution of the farmers and fisher folks to the food supply not only for the province but for the region as well.
According to the data of the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2014, he said Quezon province contributed 36 percent of the fish supply in the CALABARZON region; 38 percent contribution on rice supply, 43 percent on total vegetable production, 58 percent on corn supply and 76 percent on coconuts. CALABARZON is comprised of the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.
Moreover, Suarez named the province as Food Basket of Calabarzon since around 50 percent of the primary food supply being sold in the markets such as fish, rice, vegetables, corn and coconuts are produced in Quezon.
Suarez pushed for the improved productivity of the agricultural sector including the Corn Farmers Productivity Enhancement Program that will increase corn yield per hectare.
Under the Rice Self-Sufficiency Program, the governor reported of the steady increase on a yearly basis having 2010 as the base year with 46.18 percent growing to 52.94 percent in 2011, 57.67 percent in 2012 and 58.98 percent in 2013.
The Quezon Palay Seed Growers Association (QPSGA) contributed to the improvement in the certified seeds distribution in the province up to 70 percent of the total.
Governor Suarez also mentioned the development of mangosteen industry in Tayabas City and the development of the ‘uraro’ industry in the Bondoc Peninsula especially in the towns of Mulanay, Catanauan and General Luna with the establishment of a 10-hectare ‘uraro’ nursery in cooperation with the Southern Luzon State University for the continued supply of raw materials. (PNA)