DA to support LGU efforts to propagate rubber

Department of Agriculture high value commercial crops coordinator Dr. Rodel Maghirang has assured newly graduated rubber specialists from 12 provinces all over the country of the DA’s support in their efforts to propagate rubber in their areas.

“Depending on the proposed program that you will forward to our office, we can provide financial assistance of up to P100 thousand per hectare,” Dr. Maghirang told graduates of the first ever national rubber technology training at the University of Southern Mindanao in Kabacan, North Cotabato.

Dr. Maghirang was guest at the simple graduation rites of the 41 trainees from Isabela, Benguet,Mindoro Occidental, Palawan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Zamboang Sibugay, Bukidnon, Saranggani, South Cotabato and Maguindanao this morning.

“We are first encouraging the local government units to set up rubber budwood gardens, and then establish nurseries and plantations later. The initial request is for a funding of P5 million for each of the 10 proposed pilot provinces for the national rubber program, but funding requirements will of course depend on your proposals,” Dr. Maghirang said.

Dr. Maghirang said that starting Monday, they will begin drafting the details of the national rubber program based on the proposal of North Cotabato Governor Manny Piñol who has staunchly advocated for the adoption of a refocused national agricultural development program based on high value crops with proven markets, particularly rubber.

“Our target for this year is to be able to develop an additional 15 thousand hectares to rubber in the country, and with each participating LGU contributing its share to the target, we could very well achieve it.”

Dr. Maghirang lauded the efforts of Gov. Piñol and the provincial government of North Cotabato in organizing the rubber technology training with financial support from the DA, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and the National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR).

“Maganda itong nagyayari, pero hindi dito nagtatapos. We will talk to the regions after this to come up with follow up programs so that these efforts could be sustained,” he said.

The national rubber program is set to be launched by DA Secretary Domingo Panganiban later this month during the weeklong 92nd foundation anniversary celebration of North Cotabato.