Senator Villar to continue pushing for farm tourism and agri-entrepreneurship
Published Apr 12, 2019 06:27 pm
By Vanne Elaine Terrazola
Senator Cynthia Villar on Friday vowed to continue promoting farm tourism and agri-entrepreneurship as she reiterated her belief that these would help alleviate poverty among the country's farmers and fisherfolks.
Senator Cynthia Villar (SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES / FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)
"I see farm tourism as a way out of poverty para sa mga (for the) farmers, farm workers, and fisherfolks. It will increase their income and give them other livelihood and business opportunities," Villar told some 60 graduates of the Training of Facilitators on Farm Business School (FBS) in a cermony held in Villar SIPAG Farm School in Bacoor, Cavite Friday.
"Kaya itutuloy natin ang pagpaparami ng mga farm tourism camps at schools. Sisiguruhin natin na pati sa mga malalayong areas ay meron din, hindi lang sa mga tourist destinations na sikat na. Kailangan lahat ng mga lugar sa ating bansa ay mabenepisyohan," said the reelectionist senator.
The chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food expressed optimism for farm tourism and agriculture-related businesses in the country especially with Republic Act 10816 mandating government participation in promoting and developing the sector.
RA 10816 or the "Farm Tourism Development Law", was signed into law in 2016.
Villar, an author to the law, said the law will benefit farmers, farm owners, farming enthusiasts and others who are involved in agriculture, especially in agricultural communities in rural areas.
"Because half of our country's population live in rural areas and two-thirds are involved directly or indirectly in agriculture. So if we can reduce poverty in these areas, we can help reduce poverty in the entire country," she said.
The 60 graduates of the FBS facilitators training program, mostly farmers and farm owners from Region 3 and Region 4-A, were taught on the essentials of setting up and operating farms as business enterprises. The training program was conducted by the Villar Sipag in partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).
"Being more skilled and more competent, you will also be able to seize all the opportunities out there. And there are a lot of opportunities nowadays," Villar said.
Senator Cynthia Villar (SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES / FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)
"I see farm tourism as a way out of poverty para sa mga (for the) farmers, farm workers, and fisherfolks. It will increase their income and give them other livelihood and business opportunities," Villar told some 60 graduates of the Training of Facilitators on Farm Business School (FBS) in a cermony held in Villar SIPAG Farm School in Bacoor, Cavite Friday.
"Kaya itutuloy natin ang pagpaparami ng mga farm tourism camps at schools. Sisiguruhin natin na pati sa mga malalayong areas ay meron din, hindi lang sa mga tourist destinations na sikat na. Kailangan lahat ng mga lugar sa ating bansa ay mabenepisyohan," said the reelectionist senator.
The chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food expressed optimism for farm tourism and agriculture-related businesses in the country especially with Republic Act 10816 mandating government participation in promoting and developing the sector.
RA 10816 or the "Farm Tourism Development Law", was signed into law in 2016.
Villar, an author to the law, said the law will benefit farmers, farm owners, farming enthusiasts and others who are involved in agriculture, especially in agricultural communities in rural areas.
"Because half of our country's population live in rural areas and two-thirds are involved directly or indirectly in agriculture. So if we can reduce poverty in these areas, we can help reduce poverty in the entire country," she said.
The 60 graduates of the FBS facilitators training program, mostly farmers and farm owners from Region 3 and Region 4-A, were taught on the essentials of setting up and operating farms as business enterprises. The training program was conducted by the Villar Sipag in partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).
"Being more skilled and more competent, you will also be able to seize all the opportunities out there. And there are a lot of opportunities nowadays," Villar said.