A Climate Field School for Farmers (CFSF) in Mountain Province is gradually coming to fruition with the approval of 271.15 million funds from the People’s Survival Fund (PSF) Board, under the leadership of its chair Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno.
The rising impacts of climate change have become an undeniable challenge to global agriculture, with smallholder farmers often at the forefront of this struggle. In the Philippines, where the agricultural sector plays a pivotal role in the livelihood of millions, these climate-related challenges are particularly severe in rural and mountainous areas. One such region is Mountain Province, where farming communities in areas like Paracelis face the dual challenge of climate vulnerability and the need for sustainable agricultural practices. In response to these challenges, the establishment of a Climate Field School for Farmers (CFSF) at the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC) Paracelis Campus offers an innovative solution to enhance the resilience of local farmers and equip them with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly unpredictable environment.
Representatives of the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) – MP through the Provincial Disaster Risk & Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) detailed the plans for the establishment of the said farm school in a project proposal presentation before College President Dr. Edgar G. Cue.
The project hosted by the agriculture program of MPSPC Bacarri Campus in Paracelis town, MP-CFSF seeks to lower the risk of climate change through best agricultural practices and sustainable resource management while increasing yields in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.
Dr. Cue, in a message, emphasized the College’s commitment to the realization of the endeavor toward contributing to agricultural development.
Meanwhile, the project is a multi-level and multi-sectoral collaboration of various government agencies including MPSPC, the ten municipal local government units of Mountain Province, and national line agencies in the region namely Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Science and Technology.
MP-CFSF focuses on four areas of agricultural fisheries, infrastructure development, natural ecosystems, and institutional/capacity development through activities that strengthen long-term agricultural support to farmer and fisher folk beneficiaries, enhancement of early warning system for the agricultural sector, and intensifying advocacy on climate change adaptation and agriculture.
The Climate Field School for Farmers at MPSPC Paracelis Campus represents a significant step toward building a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector in Mountain Province. By equipping farmers with the necessary tools and knowledge to tackle the challenges of climate change, this initiative will contribute not only to enhanced productivity but also to the long-term well-being of local communities. As the world continues to grapple with the impacts of climate change, projects like the CFSF serve as a beacon of hope, showing that education, innovation, and local action can make a meaningful difference.
