The set of guide maps is one of the major outputs of the Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) for which SEARCA and the University of the Philippines Los Baños Foundation, Inc. (UPLBFI) were commissioned by DA to strengthen its implementation.
SEARCA and UPLBFI assisted DA in the following components of AMIA: (1) Key Agriculture and Fisheries (AF) Policy Instruments Towards Increasing Productivity, Income, and Resiliency of AF Livelihoods; (2) Integrated Climate Change Geographic Information System (ICCGIS); (3)Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Policy for Agriculture Integrating Climate Change Adaptation including Development and Utilization of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV); (4) Landscape Planning in AF Development; (5) Technical and Managerial Capacity Building; and (6) Special Studies.
Philippine Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said "the NACCAG incorporated and digitized scientific data on soil analysis, climate impact, geographical hazards and weather prediction from PAG-ASA." The guide map can be viewed online at www.farmersguidemap.gov.ph.
Piñol also said "the guide map can be used by farmers to identify what kind of plant is best to grow in their land." The color-coded agriculture guide map is a campaign commitment of President Duterte to guide farmers on what plants are best for the land they till and help them decide which could be more profitable to them.
President Duterte, in his speech, pointed out the importance of nurturing the agriculture sector, which is considered as the backbone of the country's economy. He said agriculture "forms the basis for food and nutrition security, and provides the raw material for industrialization. These are important factors that allow progress to take place in society."
"No one should be left behind in our journey to progress and self-sufficiency. Remember that we must prioritize the welfare of the disadvantaged and the marginalized. So, let us work together to empower our farmers and fisherfolk in order to achieve our goals of a bountiful Philippines – so that one day, in the not so distant future, no Filipino should ever go hungry again," President Duterte emphasized further.
SEARCA was represented by Dr. Lope B. Santos III, Program Specialist and MS. Gabrielle Lagrimas, Project Coordinator, both of the Project Development and Technical Services (PDTS), while UPLBFI was represented by Dr. Casiano S. Abrigo, Jr., Executive Director, and Ms. Dorcas Trinidad, Project Coordinator.
