The City Agriculture’s Office (CAO) of the local government of San Carlos is preparing to implement several agricultural initiatives under the Organic Agriculture Development Program to benefit farmers in the city.
City Agriculturist Ricardo C. Panunciar and Agricultural Technologist Elpidio G. Dayuday Jr. Introduced CAO’s upcoming projects during a visit to their office in So. Medina, Brgy Rizal, and demo farm in Barangay Prosperidad yesterday, Jan. 17.
Launched in 2016, the Organic Agriculture Development Program promotes sustainable farming, boosts food security, and supports farmers by encouraging organic methods, improving productivity, offering alternative income sources, and ensuring environmental protection.
Proposed initiatives under the said program for 2025 include quail production and egg dispersal to address increasing demand and provide farmers with sustainable income; King Crab and Australian Red Claw Crayfish production are also started to help inland and upland farmers engage in aquaculture for food security and livelihood opportunities.
The program also supports native pig (black pig) production, valued for its disease resistance and adaptability to free-range farming, along with Tilapia and Hito (catfish) farming to further promote sustainable farming practices.
The Rice-Duck Technology Program will also be introduced, integrating ducks into rice farming as natural pests controllers, reducing chemical use while also providing eggs and meat as secondary products.
Dayuday said that the focus on animal production this year reflects the city’s efforts to diversify agricultural programs by introducing projects not yet available in the local market, broadening opportunities for local farmers.
He added that while the initiatives are still in the planning stages, they are expected to launch by the second or third quarter of the year.
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