Batac: Beema bamboo propagules are being planted in the rural village of Camandingan in this city with the hope of piloting a national program that will enhance livelihood opportunities, increase climate resiliency, and foster ecological conservation across target communities.
According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative is spearheaded by the provincial government of Ilocos Norte with support from various national government agencies and civil society organizations. A memorandum of agreement for the Sustainable Agroforestry Farm Enterprise-Bamboo Business Model (SAFE-BBM) was formally signed, marking the project's official launch.
The agreement was signed by Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, Batac City Mayor Mark Christian Chua, Regional Executive Director John Pascual of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office 1, and Regional Executive Director Rosario Segundina Gaerlan of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
With registered farmers' associations and women organizations as partner beneficiaries, the SAFE-BBM project aims to develop a 10-hectare beema bamboo plantation with an initial batch of 10,000 propagules. This project is expected to support a multi-story farming system with diversified income sources, where the beema bamboo serves as an insurance crop.
DA Undersecretary for High Value Crops Cheryl Marie Caballero highlighted the government's plan to create a national strategy for bamboo and establish a sustainable agroforestry enterprise, with Batac serving as a business model. She emphasized the importance of providing reliable planting materials and seedlings to help farmers adapt to climate change and enable year-round planting.
Dr. Nambi Barathi of Growmore Biotech Ltd. noted that beema bamboo has versatile uses, including mass timber for housing and sustainable fuel production. Mayor Chua expressed Batac's commitment to becoming a model of sustainability for farmers, the environment, and the future of Ilocos Norte.
To support the project, BFAR distributed aquaculture inputs and freshwater prawn, which will be cultivated in the rivers, lakes, and tributaries of Ilocos and other parts of Northern Luzon. Additionally, a "Gulayan sa Bayan" (vegetable garden) project was awarded to the Gabut Norte Rural Improvement Club to enhance productivity and promote community health through vegetable production.
The DA provided each beneficiary with a knapsack sprayer, organic foliar fertilizer, net garden shade, a set of garden tools, and assorted vegetable seeds valued at PHP100,000. Catherine Sadorra, president of Gabut Norte Rural Improvement Club, expressed that the project offers more than seeds, but also purpose, pride, and the opportunity to feed families and neighbors with homegrown vegetables.
