RED HOT. Chinese Ambassador Ma Kequing (right) checks on the chili at the demo farm owned by ANI. With her are ANI President Tony Tui and Filipino-Chinese Businessman George Huy. Photo by Joey Pavia
MABALACAT, Pampanga – Agri Nurture Inc. (ANI) and the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines led on Tuesday the opening of an agricultural demonstration farm here seen to improve the efficiency and productivity of farmers in Central Luzon.
ANI President Tony Tui and Ambassador Ma Kequing welcomed the partnership of the Department the Agrarian Reform (DAR) with private firms in teaching farmers at the 35-hectare lot in Barangay Mawaque, here.
Tui said they will teach farmers with the technology contributed by the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences (GAAS).
“This project is more about giving livelihood to farmers,” said Tui. He added that the DAR had partnered with ANI to help the intended beneficiaries of land under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
For her part, Ma said the Chinese government had intended to help Filipino farmers with second of trance of the 20 million Renminbi as part of the country’s assistance.
Tui said that Ma attended the opening of the demo farm on behalf of the GAAS. He added that GAAS is one of the leading agricultural academies in China.
Tui also said the University of the Philippines in Los Baños and Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC) will also assist them.
Former Mawaque Barangay Captain Ric Arceo said that farmers in this town had welcomed the support of ANI.
“It will further improve our productivity,” added Arceo in the dialect. He disclosed that ANI had “always supported farmers.”
Tui said he will coordinate with the DAR to bring in different Local Government Unit (LGU) to the demo farm. He added that the first batch may start after the Holy Week .
