DA Caraga strengthens media partnership for food security
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY — In support of the national government’s thrust for food sufficiency and sustainable agriculture, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga continues to strengthen its partnership with local media through the Grow Your Own Food Challenge-Media Edition, a localized initiative aligned with the government’s whole-of-nation approach to ensuring accessible, affordable, and sufficient food for all Filipinos.
The Grow Your Own Food Challenge encouraged not only broadcasters in Butuan City and Agusan del Norte but also the general public to engage in backyard and community gardening as a practical contribution to food security.
The awarding ceremony, held on Dec. 15, also served as a platform to present ongoing national and regional initiatives such as Gulayan sa Bayan, a program supporting the national government’s food sufficiency agenda by promoting household-level food production. Romer Amante, DA Caraga regional focal person for fruits and vegetables, presented the program.
Regional Executive Director Arlan Mangelen of DA Caraga highlighted the role of the media in national food security programs aside from information dissemination. “We are grateful for your strong participation in this contest and for the actual food production you undertook. You have shown that the media are not only partners in information dissemination, but also reliable allies in food production and in strengthening the country’s food security,” Mangelen said.
Awarding rites were led by Mangelen together with June Anthony Ouano, High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) Regional Focal Person. Winners included Welmar Palcoto of Radyo Sincero (1st Place), Madelyn Luneta of Radyo Kamao (2nd Place), and Rey Brangan of Bombo Radyo Butuan (3rd Place), who received cash prizes and certificates of recognition. Four participants received consolation prizes.
Jungie Esconia of Power Radyo expressed appreciation for the initiative, noting its broader impact. “We are thankful to the DA for allowing media practitioners to promote food production. Through this experience, we realized that farming is not easy, and it deepened our understanding of the hard work of our farmers.”
Meanwhile, awardee Rey Brangan called on the public to support farmers and the national food sufficiency drive, saying, “Do not bargain excessively for farm products. These are results of farmers’ hard labor, and it is not easy what they go through just to bring food to consumers.” (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)