Davao del Norte has taken another significant step towards climate resilience with the launch of its second Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) Village, this time in the municipality of Braulio E. Dujali. The initiative, led by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office (RFO) 11 AMIA Program in collaboration with the DA Rice Banner Program, the Provincial Agriculture Office, and the Municipal Agriculture Office, aims to support innovative initiatives toward sustainable rice production and secure farmers’ livelihoods and incomes in the face of challenges brought by climate change.
As part of the launch, the AMIA Program turned over fertilizers and farming equipment to Braulio E. Dujale Organic Producers and Rural Workers Association (BEDOPARWA), the local farmers’ association engaged with the program. The assistance serves as initial support to kickstart the climate resilient agriculture (CRA) transformation of the farmers in the new AMIA Village.
The event also featured an unveiling ceremony and the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement, symbolizing the acceptance and commitment of the farmers’ association and the AMIA Program’s partners to the initiative.
Braulio E. Dujali Municipal Agriculturist Mr. Joey T. Areola expressed his gratitude to the AMIA Program, stating: “Pasalamat ko sa DA na mugna ang AMIA Village. Sa atong sitwasyon, grabe najud ang climate, makaadapt ta ug masulbad atong problema sa climate change (I am thankful to the DA for establishing an AMIA Village here. In today’s situation, climate change has deeply affected us. This calls for us to adapt and address this climate change problem).”
Dr. Leslie Love M. Lim, representative of the Municipal Mayor Leah Marie M. Romano, echoed Areola’s statement, emphasizing the significant impact of climate change on the farmers in their town. “Dako jud kaayo ang impact ang climate change sa atong mga farmers. I’m very happy that DA gapangita ug plan to adapt […] ana jud ang kinabuhi para mo adapt. We are full of support for agriculture (Climate change has had a tremendous effect on our farmers. I am very happy that the DA took action to create a plan for us to adapt. We are in full support of agriculture),” she said.
BEDOPARWA Chairman Engr. Garcia expressed his gratitude to the AMIA Program and highlighted the commitment of their association to sustain the program. “Dako jud akong kalipay nako, personally labi na sa akong grupo na BEDOPARWA. Natagaan mi aning mga grasya ug mga supporta nga gikan sa DA-AMIA. Usa ni ka challenge amo pud ni nga suklian na proyekto na amo ning malahutay, para pud sa tanan namo mga miyembro sa Braulio E. Dujali (I am very happy, particularly for our association, the BEDOPARWA, for the assistance turned over to us by the DA AMIA. This is a challenge for us, beneficiaries, to give back to the program and to sustain it. This benefits not just us but all the members of the community of Braulio E. Dujali),” he said.
The launch marks a significant milestone in Braulio E. Dujali’s efforts to build climate resilience, underscoring the importance of climate resilient agriculture towards sustainability, food security, and agri-preneurial development.### (Written by Marc Jericho P. Ganaban and Simeon C. Fernandez)