Webinar for OFWS set to discuss urban gardening
The webinar has become a major component of the DA’S “Plant, Plant, Plant Programme” began in April 2020 to empower farmers and consumers against the food security challenges brought about by the pandemic
It will be urban gardening for Filipinos in Dubai and the Northern Emirates this Sept.24 (Saturday), should they enlist for the second of a series of agribusiness webinars by the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai (Pcg-dubai) and the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture (DA).
All they have to do is grab the free registration for the “Kabayan! Mag-urban Farming Na Tayo!” (“Countryman! It’s Urban Farming!”) over htps:// tinyurl.com/agribusinessurbanfarming.
The webinar has become a major component of the DA’S “Plant, Plant, Plant Programme” began in April 2020 to empower farmers and consumers against the food security challenges brought about by the Novel Coronavirus pandemic.
Its phase two has been ongoing since March 7, 2022, to counter the crisis arising from the Russianukraine War.
This Saturday’s webinar shall be viewed via Zoom from 10:00 am on Saturday, following the Sept.10 introduction of the PCG-DUBAI/DA “Micro Agri-kabuhayan Para sa Balikbayan Programme” (“Agri-business Programme for Returning Overseas Filipinos”) partnership.
The micro-business webinar teaches migrant Filipinos, OFWS and their families, everything they ought to know and implement in their chosen agri-business, from the conceptualization to the sales and marketing courtesy of the Da-agricultural Training Institute, Agricultural Credit Policy Council, Agriculturalcompetitivenessenhancementfundand the Agri-business and Marketing Assistance Service.
The DA resource persons on Sept.10 were Agriculture Atache Nolet Fulgencio, Karlo Caesar Abarquez, Fay Caisip, Emmalyn Guinto, Luzviminda Tolentino. From the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration was Mark Espina. They guided the 100 participants regarding available financing and technical assistance.
Among the participants was Alliance of United Ofwsfounder/presidentwarpeacearnoldwholooks forward at the one-time grant assistance “so that I can use it at a portion of my land in our farm to create something for myself and for other Filipinos.”
“My aim is to set an example to fellow OFWS that with the help of each other and assistance from our Mother Nation, we can forge an alliance and help one another see a beter tomorrow.”
Michael James Roxas invested in “catle dispersal” during his OFW days in Saudi Arabia in the late 1990s: “We are delighted that the focus of the Marcos Jr. Administration is food security. My family and I have a lot of plans like expanding the grapes gardening my wife, daughter and sister started in our home. My sister already began taking care of rabbits. We want to engage in stingless bees, mushrooms and compost plant, broiler and layer poultry business.”
Gratefulforthepcg-dubai/dapartnership,roxas claimed it is indeed helpful if the Philippine government provide “easy loan processing, especially with the challenges of climate change that we face in Bicol. I saw that when I was starting my tree farm.”
Filipino Club Ras Al Khaimah president Meliton Castillo was also thankful for the webinar he described as “very educational” since the speakers taught them how to start and consequently expand agri-businesses.
In his opening remarks, Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates Renato Duenas urged the participants to consider starting their own businesses in the Philippines to augment their family’s income and to contribute in nation-building. The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have entered into a bilateral agreement that shall help heighten the food security of both countries, through joint activities, in the area of agricultural innovation.
Withthememorandumofunderstanding(mou), directions for co-operation has been set towards soil science and management, biotechnology, post-harvest, agriculture research & development, agricultural innovation, protected agriculture technology, irrigation and water resources.
Basedonthe“overviewofthephilippines-united Arab Emirates Bilateral Relations” page of the diplomatic mission website, the Memorandum of Understanding is historic.””it is the 12th as among the first 11 signed, was the “Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital,” signed on Sept.21, 2003 in Dubai and entered into force, ater the Sept.15, 2008 concurrence by the Philippine Senate, on Oct.2, 2008.