LAOAG CITY, Dec. 30 (PIA) – “This is the beginning of the INAFES (Ilocos Norte Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System). This building will not solve our agricultural problems; this building alone will not help our farmers. We have the solution. We have to work together. We have to make sure we listen to our farmers and provide for their every need.”

This was uttered by Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc after the successful inauguration of the three-storey Ilocos Norte Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Center (INAFEC) at the Provincial Agriculture Office Compound earlier this month.

The blessing and inauguration of the extension center was led by Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar, along with local officials led by Manotoc.

The said center is being eyed to boost local farming practices in the province, as well as strengthen the farming and fisheries sector.

This also further connects local farmers and fishermen to bigger markets.

“The counterpart of the Department of Agriculture through the regional office is P786 million. The province will lead the planning and implementation of the programs and projects of INAFES while the fund will operationalize INAFES,” said the agriculture secretary.

Dar assures that the Agency will “commit and work it out and give through the regional additional P30 million for the Ilocos Norte agriculture projects.”

Meanwhile, Provincial Agriculturist Norma Lagmay is positive on the advantage of the extension center for a synergized services for the agriculture and fisheries sector.

“The center, where all men and women working together for the development and advancement of agrifishery will collaborate and work together as a team to realize same goals and objectives,” said Lagmay. (JCR//MJTAB, PIA Ilocos Norte)