The Department of Agriculture in Calabarzon on Friday called on journalists to help in the effective information dissemination and successful implementation of the Marcos administration’s livelihood programs for farmers and fisherfolk.

In a media conference, Jayvee Ergino, Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS) officer in charge, said the press gives credibility and builds public trust in the delivery of services in the region.

“We cannot afford not having media partners because we have five provinces in the region [Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon]. It enables us to extend our programs and gives validation to the public as we cater to their needs,” he said.

He said the influence of the media makes the delivery of their programs easier among its target beneficiaries.

Amid the era of disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation, media partners play an interconnected role to center on the prime issues the agriculture sector is facing, he said.

By delivering right and quality information on applicable programs, the agricultural sector in the region is better positioned to improve the lives of local farmers and fisherfolk, Ergino said.

He said there has been little coverage about agriculture statistics and the reasons behind changes in the production numbers of certain agricultural products.

Citing a report by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), he noted that in 2023, there was a marked drop in the regional production of eggplant, ampalaya, string beans, chayote, black pepper, banana, calamansi, and sweet potato.

The series of storms and the El Niño phenomenon were the primary reasons for this decrease in production, he said.

Despite performance dips, however, Ergino said the region is still the leading producer of squash in the country, 2nd in ampalaya, 3rd in eggplant, and 4th in tomato.

Among the strategies lined up this year to increase local production includes year-round year-round production of quality and safe products with identified markets, continued clustering and farm consolidation approach, modernization/digitalization, and diversification and climate resilient practices, among others.

Meanwhile, Ergino reminded the public that the DA regional office here continues to hold the Kadiwa ng Pangulo bazaar every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Kadiwa ng Pangulo is a DA-led marketing initiative to establish a direct farm-to-consumer food supply chain. (PNA)