Negros
Occidental is a perennial rice importer. As a consequence
of a mono-crop economy, the poor and marginalized sectors
were highly vulnerable to any setback affecting the sugar
industry. Aggravating the situation was the inadequacy of
irrigation systems in the entire province. Only 30% of its
total irrigation potential was being realized and staple
commodities were not available locally. In fact, when the
country was ravaged by a severe shortage of rice in 1995,
Negros Occidental was hardest hit among the seven provinces
of Western Visayas. Unless the province started producing
its own food, massive starvation was imminent. In fact,
a high malnutrition rate among children was recorded in
1995; for every eight pre-schoolers, one was underweight.
Low productivity and the absence of alternative livelihood
likewise made the problem worse.
Preparing
a comprehensive plan to cope with the situation produced
a food sufficiency program known as Pagkaon 2000. The local
government unit conducted farmer dialogues, barangay assemblies,
district consultations, and technical conferences with national
and local agencies. Streamlining and reorganizing the Office
of the Provincial Agriculturist enabled it to effectively
implement a massive integrated campaign for the program.
An Agricultural Engineering and Irrigation Systems Development
Division was established to drive irrigation development
in the province. A Motorcycle Loan program was likewise
instituted to expand the coverage and mobility of agriculturists.
It now has a membership of 126 practitioners on field.
At
present, Pagkaon 2000 has completed 30 projects, expanding
the total irrigated area from 31,729 hectares in 1995 to
39,286 hectares in 1999. At the same time, effective irrigated
area increased from 79, 322 hectares to 110,000 hectares
while rice production grew from 222,000 metric tons to 344,444
metric tons. To ensure a continuum of professional and technical
staffing in the agriculture and fishery sector, 80 full-time
scholars in state colleges and universities are being sponsored
nationwide. After five years of program implementation,
malnutrition cases dropped from 14% to 9%. An Agriculture
and Fishery committee in the Provincial Development Council
was likewise institutionalized to ensure quick allocation
of agricultural funds from the 20% IRA for strengthening
of LGU, private, and NGO cooperation.
