650 farmers in Clark areas benefit from CDC agri project

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=11&rid=905345
• Tuesday, July 19, 2016

(PNA), BNB/ZST/MDDR/PS

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, July 19 (PNA)-- Some 650 farmer-beneficiaries from the Metro Clark area are expected to benefit from Clark Development Corporation’s (CDC) seedling dispersal project this year which is in partnership with the leading producer of hybrid agricultural products in the country.

Now on its second year, the agri-project dubbed as “Gulay para sa Kalusugan, Katulong sa Pagpawi ng Kahirapan; Prutas sa Kabuhayan tungo Sa Kaunlaran,” is part of CDC’s Corporate Social Responsibility Programs in partnership with East West Seeds Philippines.

The seedlings dispersal program of CDC on backyard organic vegetable production will benefit farmers from the cities of Mabalacat and Angeles, Porac town, all in Pampanga and nearby Tarlac towns -- Bamban and Capas, including the Indigenous Community (Aeta) group.

The project was launched last year which initially benefitted some 470 farmers here.

The CDC management continuously implements various agricultural and livelihood programs to uplift the lives of marginalized residents within the contiguous of the Clark Freeport Zone.

Rommel C. Narciso, assistant vice-president for CDC External Affairs Department said the program aims to cultivate the culture of farming in Clark contiguous areas.

"Let us cultivate the culture of farming. Let us change the mindset that farmers are poor. In other countries, the farmers are the rich ones," he said.

Roberto Lintag, a farmer from Barangay Pio, Porac and first-time recipient of CDC’s seedlings dispersal, considers the agri-project as an opportunity to develop hybrid-farming.

"The program of the CDC is a big help because we are giving an opportunity to plant hybrid variety of seeds," Lintag said as he expressed hope for the continuous support of CDC to farmers in the surrounding areas in Clark.

Melba Tongol-Malit, Porac municipal agriculturist, thanked the CDC for also conducting vegetable production seminar along with seedlings dispersal.

The municipal agriculturist also said that CDC’s agri-project will create extra income for farmers.

Carlos Tuazon, senior agriculturist of Capas, said various farmers cooperatives in their municipality will benefit from the project.

"Aside from the 30 members of the cooperative, some 50 more farmers will benefit from the project. This year, we have new recepients so that they could also try the project," Tuazon said.

According to Delia Maniago, agricultural technician of Capas, the seedlings being distributed by CDC are of good quality.

Other beneficiaries include: Claro M. Recto Information and Communication and Technology High School, Lourdes Dapdap Elementary School and Villa Concepcion Elementary School.