ACEF to increase farmers’ productivity
by Jina Shirley G. Dacmay
LAGAWE, Ifugao (16 October) -- In support to the government’s commitment to trade liberalization as a strategy for achieving sustainable development, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) and the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) here, are implementing measures through the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) to increase farmers productivity and enable them to achieve higher levels of competitiveness.
Dr. Gloria Evangelio, Veterinary Officer IV of the PVO said the ACEF is a non-interest loan from the levy tax as one of the safety nets for General Agreements on Tarriffs and Trade (GATT) for the improvement of Philippine products in international market.
It was disclosed that Ifugao is one of the top cattle producers in Luzon which supply buyers in neighboring provinces of Pangasinan and even as far as Batangas. Cattles are raised mostly in the municipalities of Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista and Mayoyao
According to Evangelio, problems like no food during summertime, abortions of female cattle, and raising of native stock are some of the concerns of ranchers. But she added that with technological interventions, ranchers will be able to minimize loses and maximize income.
To improve the stock of ranchers, the PVO disbursed a total of 55 heads of bulls to ranchers.
The PVO has also scheduled an information dissemination campaign to the Aguinaldo Cattle Raisers Organization to help them prepare their feasibility study to acquire loan from the program. OPAG is awaiting applications from qualified interested organizations. (PIA-Ifugao) [top]
