As the main stakeholder and captain of the ship for agricultural development in the Region, the Regional Field Office of the Department of Agriculture in the Cordillera gathered its stakeholders to culminate the month-long celebration of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolks’ with a bang on May 30, 2024 at the Melvin Jones Grandstand and Football ground, Baguio City.
To mark the event memorable and to honor the farmers and fishers who are the main actors in propelling agricultural development in the region, a giant pan was prepared to cook the first of its kind “Paella a la Cordillera.” Ingredients include Chong-ak heirloom rice from Pasil, Kalinga; Pinuneg from Kiangan, Ifugao; Kiniing and Kinuday (from Benguet and Mt. Province); native chicken; broccoli, carrots, French beans, and cauliflower; green and red bell pepper; longganisa recado, onions (both red and white); mushroom (button, oyster, and shitake); tomatoes; parsley and lemon. Condiments used to spice the paella gigantes include olive oil, paella spices, chicken powder and salt.
Accordingly, local chefs from Baguio and Metro Manila, along with University of Baguio culinary students, prepared the dish.
Gracing the said occasion were Agriculture Undersecretary Christopher Morales, Assistant Secretary Daniel Atayde, Kalinga Gov. James Edduba, Baguio City Councilor Maximo Edwin Jr, DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn Dawayan, the different line agencies and bureaus of the DA family, World Food Expo (WOFEX) president Joel Pascua, local, national, and international chefs, and agriculture industry stakeholders.
Over 1,100 people were estimated to have partaken during the said event.
Another highlight of the activity is the Kadiwa ni Pangulo and Agriserbisyo Fair of the different line bureaus and attached agencies of the DA. For the ATI-RTC-CAR, products from various LSAs were on display and sold with matching advisory services to farmers who inquired about the services, programs, projects, and activities of the Center.
