CEBU CITY, Cebu, May 3 (PIA) -- Following this year's celebration of Farmers and Fisherfolks Month, the Department of Agriculture 7 (DA7) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 7 (BFAR7) both gave an assurance that support programs and services are being extended to assist the farmers and fisherfolks in Central Visayas and to aid the region in achieving food security.

The DA7 said on May 3 during the "Kapihan sa PIA", that they have been heavily implementing the agency’s "National Urban and Peri-Urban Gardening Program."

This program aims to help farmers in terms of food production through the process of home or urban gardening, as the department urged households in urban areas to engage in urban gardening by planting various vegetables, fruits, and other crops in their respective home gardens.

The agriculture department also noted that they have been promoting the "Clustering and Consolidation Program" encouraging farmers to diversify their crop and livestock production.

"Ang directive sa DA, work on clustering and consolidation; we have the vision nga ang assistance nga ig-on kay ang economies of scale nga mo result in cost reduction at the same time diversification pud, dili ta mo rely on one crop instead we promote inter-cropping," said DA-7 Chief of Field Operations Division Dr. Gerry Avila.

"So ang clustering and diversification gyud is the vehicle that we will be implementing as one of the major programs of DA in boosting food production," added Dr. Avila.

DA-7 is also promoting the use of hydroponics facilities, especially for establishments that have a vertical structure.

Hydroponic farming is the production of plants in an indoor environment using a water-based nutrient solution instead of soil.

Meanwhile, the BFAR-7 also shared that they are continuing to adapt to modern technology in developing fish productivity in the region, helping fishermen process their fishery products into a much better and higher-quality commodity.

The agency also said that they have been promoting the process of "Aquaculture", a controlled cultivation of aquatic organisms.

BFAR-7 is extending assistance to fisherfolk in breeding and raising what they consider the top 5 fishing commodities: bangus, tilapia, oysters, shrimp, and seaweeds.

"Ang goal gyud namu sa BFAR is a 10% increase in terms of fish production, which is why we are also helping our fisherfolks nga i-process ilang mga sobra nga isda, para kini mabaligya nila sa mas taas nga presyo." BFAR-7 Information Officer Laila Bragat said during the said forum. (RGC/PIA7 Cebu)