DA allocates P25-M to boost Adlai production

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?&sid=6&pfn=680314&arch=1&go=Go&search_arch=Dinas,%20Zamboanga%20del%20Sur&andor=and&mdte_arch=9&ddte_arch=0&ydte_arch=2014

By Hirohito D. Cadion

DINAS, Zamboanga del Sur, Sept. 4 (PNA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated P25 million to boost the production of Adlai in the country.

DA Sec. Proceso Alcala made this announcement as he led Wednesday the opening of the two-day First National Adlai Grand Farmer’s Field Days and Technology Forum in this town.

Alcala said that P10 million of the P25 million budget allocation has been earmarked for Adlai production here in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

“Starting today the DA will purchase the production of Adlai the same with Palay price at P17.40 per kilo. We will purchase all your production for seedling purposes to be distributed to areas that does not have Adlai,” Alcala added.

 

Adlai was first discovered here in the Zamboanga Peninsula particularly in the towns of Midsalip and Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur and was developed by the Zamboanga Peninsula Integrated Agricultural Research Center (ZAMPIARC) for mass production of seedlings for distribution nationwide.

Adlai is a tall-grain bearing tropical plant that has been growing now abundantly in the country. It has been cultivated since ancient times as staple food.

Alcala was invited as the keynote speaker of the two-day event here as he helped promote Adlai as alternative food crop.

“I know Adlai before when I was a congressman. I planted this in Quezon Province after my friend from Mindanao introduced to me the plant and its delicacies which I was appreciated and the taste is like rice when cooked,” Sec. Alcala said.

The two-day event showcase Adlai production and management technologies in varying crop stages, regional booths and exhibits, Adlai farm machinery demonstration, post-harvest processing technologies, Adlai value-added products, farmer’s forum and symposium, among others.

At least more than 1,000 farmers, Local Government Units (LGUs), private sector representatives and investors from all over Mindanao and other parts of the country attended the forum.

Mayor Basilio Vidad expressed gratitude to Alcala for recognizing the effort of the local farmers in support to Adlai production as well as choosing this town as the venue of the First National Adlai Grand Farmer’s Field Days and Technology Forum.

The forum ended Thursday, Sept. 5. (PNA)
CTB/TPGJR/HDC/UTB

During the ocasion DA Secretary Alcala dance the Subanen Tribe Dance after he was Baptized as the
Adopted Son of Subanen Tribes of Zamboanga peninsula (Video by MINDANAO PAGADIAN FRONTLINE)