Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria has vowed to keep and protect the existing productive agricultural lands in Dumaguete City despite his plans to build housing projects for City Hall employees.
Sagarbarria said there are still huge agricultural areas in Dumaguete located in barangays Bajumpandan, Cantil-e, Camanjac, Talay, and Balugo. The existing productive agricultural lands will be enhanced through the different farm support programs initiated by the City government.
These include the Plow-Now-Pay-Later program, farm support in terms of the distribution of seedlings and fertilizers, transfer of technology, and provision of technical assistance.
The Mayor said he is also supporting the organic agriculture program promoted by the Provincial Agriculture Office, which is one of the efforts to help combat climate change.
Sagarbarria said the importance of using the right technology in farming will result in maximum harvest. One of the most common practices to increase productivity is the use of high-valued seedlings for fruits and vegetables, he stressed.
At present, the 160 hectares of cornfields can only harvest some two to three tons each time. He said this can be doubled by adopting the right technology and system in farming.
The Mayor said he is thankful that Gov. Roel Degamo has improved the provision of agriculture services under the Barangay Agriculture Development Center, which will help encourage more farmers to adopt an advanced farming system.
Earlier, City Agriculture Officer William Ablong clarified that under the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, all agricultural land in Dumaguete will not be converted to residential or commercial use, unless approved by the City Agriculture Office. (PNA/MA)