Right on the heels of their meeting with executives from the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) on February 03, LEDIPO Chief Jaime Juanito Rivera presented the results of their engagement, zeroing on MinDA’s commitment to be the partner of the city government in its endeavor to shine a spotlight on the local agricultural sector. LEDIPO Chief Rivera revealed how the said agency is elated to support an LGU-driven initiative focusing on agriculture as a driver of social development and economic progress. Specifically, MinDA expressed desire to provide the necessary technical assistance for the conduct of the said Summit, as well as promote Isabela City as a viable investment destination especially for the agri-fisheries sector of the region.

The discussion also explored suggested platforms to reinforce this vision, with MinDA identifying the conduct of a roadshow and country fair-style of showcasing famers’ produce to hype the anticipation for the Summit, the latter to be held in conjunction with the 2023 Sakayan Festival. For the long-term, the same agency also suggested the establishment of a Learning Site for Agriculture for the city, and the conduct of a citywide soil suitability study and mapping to ensure that crops grown in the city can withstand cultivation risks and challenges in the 21st Century. Meanwhile, agricultural engineer Nur Tasmeen Salih summarized the statements made by landholders, famers, leaders of farming communities, and agro-entrepreneurs during the series of pre-summit focus group discussions/consultations made a month ago.

For her part, Mayor Turabin-Hataman conveyed both her excitement and enthusiasm to realize the endeavor, declaring that its potential for sustainability could translate to immense benefits for agricultural communities, and for the entire city in general.

The meeting had in attendance Hon. Karel Annjaiza Sakkalahul representing the Sangguniang Panlungsod, City Administrator and concurrent City Legal Officer Atty. Adzlan Imran, City Agriculture Office OIC Eugene Strong with his team of agriculture specialists, City Veterinarian Dr. Erwin Roy Jalao, City Assessor Vido Yu, City Tourism Officer Claudio Ramos II, SAO Robert Arseña, and Marion Guerrero from the City Information Office.

Slated to be held in the second quarter of 2023, the first Isabela City Agriculture Summit carries the theme Agrikultura: Pagkain at Ekonomiya to draw attention to the critical link between agriculture and food security and economic prosperity. (Words by M. Guerrero/Photos by M. Santos, CIO)