UNLOCKING AGRICULTURAL PROSPERITY: NIA ANTIQUE IMO'S ORIENTATION ON CONTRACT FARMING

The NIA-Antique IMO conducted an Orientation on Contract Farming at the Farmers Training Center, San Jose, Antique on March 26, 2024.

Sr. Institutional Development Officer of the NIA Regional Office VI Mr. Leonard I. Salonga facilitated the orientation which was attended by key personnel from the NIA Antique IMO. The initiative serves as a foundation for the successful implementation and sustainability of the Contract Farming program. The orientation also plays a crucial role in ensuring that farmers, Irrigators’ Associations, Antique IMO staff, and other key stakeholders involved will have a clear understanding of their roles, responsibilities, and the parameters of the contract.

Engr. Bernard N. Castellano, Acting Division Manager of NIA Antique IMO, in his message, emphasized the importance of the orientation, stating that it will offer the participants invaluable insights, thereby enhancing their understanding and readiness to tackle the program effectively.

Rice Contract Farming is poised not only to facilitate sustainable agriculture but also to act as a catalyst for enhancing the income of small-scale and marginalized farmers, providing them with a pathway to participate more actively in the market economy. This initiative ensures that production has a secured market outlet, leveraging NIA's pivotal role in advancing irrigated agriculture. Through NIA's contributions, capable and resilient producers are empowered to uphold the highest standards of rice production quality, thereby reinforcing the sector's sustainability and resilience.