The City Government of Malaybalay, through the City Agriculture Office and the facilitation of City Planning and Development Office, conducted a 2-day Local Agriculture and Fishery Mechanization Plan (LAFMP) Workshop on July 21 and 22, 2021 at Loizas Pavilion, Casisang, Malaybalay City.

The workshop was actively participated by 40 representatives from various sectors which includes: City Agriculture Office, DA-ATI, BFAR, BSWM, TESDA, DOST, City ENRO, City Vet, and from the academe (CMU & San Martin Agro Industrial NHS). There were also participants from the CAFC, and some of our local manufacturers, assemblers and distributors of Agri-Fishery Machineries.

Pursuant to RA 10601 or the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law and DA – DILG Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 Series of 2020 (Guidelines in the Formulation of AFMech Plan), the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) and Regional Agricultural Engineering Divisions (RAEDs), shall coordinate, facilitate and provide assistance to the Agricultural Engineering Division/Section of the Local Government Units for the formulation of the Local Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Plan.

The LAFMP shall be formulated in accordance with National AFMP and DA – DILG JMC No. 1 Series of 2020, and in support of the Development/Priority Commodity Road Maps of the City. It shall be adopted by the Local Councils and included in the local investment plans for subsequent budgetary support.

The modernization of agriculture though mechanization is seen as a mechanism to improve efficiency of production and to promote cost-effective technologies thereby enhancing the meager farm income. With the formulated AFMech plans and programs, efforts of various stakeholders related to agriculture and fisheries mechanization is deemed attainable.

Report By: Juvee Lyne P. Timay, NADA – CAgO