DIRECTORY 2011 Edited 4-11.indd - Negros Occidental

ood Securityood o Security• Support Food Security at the Household Level• Promote High-Value Crops, the Corn, Poultry and Livestock Industries• Improve Pre- and Post-Harvest Facilities to boost Agricultural Productivity• Pursue the Irrigation High-way Project• Enhance Capacities of Farmers and Fisherfolk• Pursue the Thrust towards Organic FarmingWith certainty in the attainment of 100 percent self-sufciency in rice for NegrosOccidental on or before 2013, we will be shifting our focus towards supporting food securityat the household level. Every household should be able to put food on their tables, and theydo not have to look beyond their own backyards. We will support backyard vegetable, poultry,livestock and dairy production not only for the table but for additional income as well.We will increase production areas not just for rice but also for high value crops, and foryellow corn that will feed our poultry and livestock industry. Crops categorized as high valueare mango, banana, pineapple, coffee, soybean, pili, rubber, coconut, abaca, and vegetablecrops such as carrots, cabbage, celery, lettuce, squash, sweet pepper, ampalaya, mongo,pechay, radish, etc. High value crops are given priority because of its market potentials ordomestic and international demand.To enhance productivity, we will implement more communal irrigation projects andpursue the previously envisioned irrigation highway, tapping on the vast resources of our sixmajor rivers.We will also establish more pre- and post-harvest facilities not only for rice and corn,but also for fruits and vegetables, sh and other marine products, as well as for poultry andlivestock. We aim to supply the growing demand for poultry and livestock products bothin the national and international markets. We will also strengthen sh production throughaquaculture in both inland and marine waters (using sh ponds, sh pens and sh cages).We will continue to enhance the capability of our farmers and sherfolk throughinformation and technology transfer and the provision of necessary equipment and otherproduction support.We will pursue the thrust towards organic farming by encouraging more investors toproduce chemical-free food crops not only for the lucrative world market but for good healthas well. In the process, we are helping to maintain our ecological balance.