Philippines: Farmers and farm technicians to help re-establish agriculture after Yolanda

Farmers and farm technicians from Negros Occidental were sent to Tacloban City to assist their fellow farmers in rehabilitating their farms devastated by super typhoon Yolanda. Ramon Uy Sr., a pioneer in organic farming in the province, said the team is composed of volunteers from Humayan Ministry, Bureau of Plant Industry-La Granja Station, Eco-Agri Development Foundation, PURO Organic Corporation, and RU Foundry Corporation.

He said the team is now in St. Benedict Farm Institute for Sustainable Agriculture managed by Scholastican nuns in Alang-alang, Leyte.

"They were there since last week to help in rebuilding and rehabilitating the local farms in the typhoon-hit areas," Uy said.

He added that the team brought their own provisions as well as organic fertilizer, rice and corn seeds, fast-growing vegetables, equipment for the manufacture of organic fertilizers, water pump, botanical spray for dengue mosquito, and a small tractor loaned by Kubota Philippines.

Sister Ma. Violeta Marcosa of the Wholistic Healing Centre in Bacolod also donated vitamins for the victims.

“The main objective of our action is, while farmers are getting relief goods, a group of farmer volunteers are repairing their farms," Uy said.

He said that another team was also sent to Capiz to assess how Negrense farmers and farm technicians can help the farmers in the typhoon-hit province in Panay.

Source: Philippines News Agency