The 5-day celebration of the 1st Bicolano Farmers Festival and Agri-Summit has commenced yesterday. One of the highlights of the activity is the Launching of the Top 555 Program, advocated by the DA – ATI Bicol and the Bicol Learning Sites for Agriculture, Inc. (BLSA).

Driven by optimism and enthusiasm for agriculture, a flock of Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) Cooperators, accompanied by several farmers and other enthusiasts, has gathered today, on the 14th day of May 2024 at the Atrium of the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) – Main Campus in Pili, Camarines Sur. This big event has enabled LSAs in each province of the Bicol Region to march together toward progress.

The Bicol region has always been at risk of major climate hazards like floods, drought, typhoons, erosion, and volcanic eruption. Smallholder farmers also grapple with issues like climate change, resource scarcity, market volatility, and social inequity. This status quo urged the DA – ATI Bicol and BLSA to devise an initiative called Promoting Agro-enterprise Innovation Towards Achieving Agricultural Sustainability (PAITAAS): Top 555 aimed at mitigating the agony among farmers.

The PAITAAS: Top 555 Program provides a platform and a plethora of opportunities for both farmers and farm owners to establish an agricultural production system involving 500 farmers in the Bicol region, producing 500 tons monthly of Uraro, Taro, Malunggay, Cassava, and Ube crops over the next five years. Embedding social innovation within the Agro-Enterprise Clustering Approach (AECA) framework, the Top 555 initiative seeks to ensure that the benefits of agricultural development are equitably distributed and socially sustainable.

The launching activity was graced by notable people behind the Top 555 Program namely: the CBSUA President, Dr. Alberto N. Naperi, who was represented by the Pili Campus Administrator, Dr. Allan Del Rosario; the BLSA President, Mr. Santiago Cervantes; and the ATI Bicol Center Director, Dir. Elsa A. Parot. Inspirational talks were also given by three LSA Cooperators namely: Ms. Ainajoy Mari Rasul of Redhill Nature Farm and Learning Site, Inc., in Castilla, Sorsogon; Mr. Diosdado Culiat, Jr. of Dhadz Integrated Farm in Ocampo, Camarines Sur; and Mr. TL Naing of Ugat Urban Gardening & Agricultural Technology in Daet, Camarines Norte. An open forum was also held to answer the queries and other concerns of the audience regarding the Top 555 Program. Messages of Support were also delivered by LSA Representatives per province namely: Arch. Marlon Longabela from Albay; Mr. Vincer Gabral from Camarines Norte; Ms. Vivian Economidez from Camarines Sur; Mr. Domingo Santelices, Jr., from Catanduanes; Ms. Donna Belle Amante from Masbate; and Ms. Carina Yin Rasul from Sorsogon. A planning session was also conducted in the afternoon to give way for LSA Cooperators to communicate with each other regarding their commitments to the Top 555 Program.

Indeed, the launching of the Top 555 Program has become thrilling as it has attracted people from all walks of life, and has laid down possibilities so the declining status of both farmers and farm owners can now move PAITAAS.

As we incorporate a market-driven approach and build a community of driven people seeking to positively influence the agricultural industry, ride with the BLSA, and come along on this amazing journey with us. Let us work toward progress collaboratively!

#ATIBicol #ATILEADS #Top555 #PAITAAS #ParaSaMasaganangBagongPilipinas