The Provincial Agricultural Office (PAgrO) represented by Engr. Allen Christian M. Gallardo, Senior Agriculturist, and Engr. Carlita L. Baglao, Engineer II, reported on the 2024 accomplishments and the on-going projects of PAgrO during the “Taripnong” (press conference) conducted by the Public Affairs and Information Assistance Division (PAIAD) on February 27, 2025 at the PAIAD Media Lounge, Executive Bldg., Capitol, Bayombong.
The PAgrO, headed by Provincial Agriculturist Absalom Rizal D. Basya, has been working closely with Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito to ensure quick implementation of the programs and projects of the provincial government in the agricultural sector, specifically the “Kalsada ti Kabanbantayan”, “Dalan ti Umili” and “Padanum ti Umili” flagship projects. Engr. Baglao differentiated the “Kalsada ti Kabanbantayan” and the “Dalan ti Umili” projects and explained that the provincial government provides all the fund and resources of the “Kalsada” projects while in the “Dalan” projects, the provincial government provides bags of cement and fuel assistance to the projects of various barangays particularly footpath, tire-path, and protection wall. 138 barangays across the province already benefited from the “Dalan ti Umili” project. 3 Solar Powered Irrigation System was also implemented. Both the “Kalsada ti Kabanbantayan” and the “Dalan ti Umili” are brainchild of Gov. Gambito.
As to their mandate, PAgrO continuously assists local farmers by providing agri-inputs such as seeds, seedlings, fingerlings, fertilizers and technical assistance. To capacitate the local farmers and agricultural extension workers, training/capability buildings and techno-caravans were conducted. 11 farm-to-markets roads and 10 irrigation systems were also completed in 2024. PAgrO, in coordination with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO), was able to distribute agri-inputs to farmers devastated by the recent typhoons that hit the province in 2024. Aside from the P50 million given by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA), P5 million was released from the Quick Response Fund (QRF) of the PDRRMO and another P7 million is allocated and waiting for its approval, for the recovery programs of the PAgrO and PDRRMO.
According to Engr. Gallardo, there are no declared pest outbreak in the province but PAgrO and the Department of Agriculture (DA) are continuously monitoring the existence of Fall Army Worm in corn and Black Bugs in rice. The PAgrO also submitted mitigation plans for the “La Niña” and “El Niño” phenomenon.
With regards to organic farming, Engr. Gallardo reported that, “organic produce are typically more expensive than conventional products because organic farming require more labor, often produce lower yields, and face stricter regulations. Organic produce will be tested and examined first to be issued with certificate on food safety and pesticide free.” /bglorenzo
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