Ennis Agri Tech

TACLOBAN CITY — A 10-hectare vegetable based agro-forestry project is set for implementation in a forestland in Taft, Eastern Samar located inside the Ulot Watershed Model Forest.

With a fund allocation of P155,500 from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the project would be undertaken by the San Rafael Integrated Farmers Cooperative, Inc. (SRIFC) in Barangay San Rafael, Taft, Eastern Samar. The project is expected to be completed within the year.

In a Memorandum of Agreement set to be ratified by the DENR and the People’s Organization (PO) SRIFC through its President Jesus Cabujat, the DENR would facilitate and provide technical assistance to the PO in the implementation of the project. This shall include determination of species to be planted in accordance with site species suitability and market potential for the commodity.

For its part, SRIFC would conduct activities for the ground implementation of the project to include site preparation, sowing, planting and nurturing of the vegetable farm. A nursery shed house/bunkhouse which will also serve as bagsakan center would be constructed from the allocated funds.

“With this vegetable based agroforestry project, we hope to veer the upland people away from further destruction of our forests,” said DENR Regional Executive Director Primitivo Galinato, Jr. “Sadly, we are seeing our forests being opened up as upland communities engage in charcoal making which provides them immediate income,” Director Galinato lamented.

Director Galinato revealed that the project is in consonance with the National Convergence Initiative of the government, which calls for collaborative efforts of the local government units, people’s organizations, non-government organizations and other stakeholders towards poverty reduction and environmental protection