The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is pushing for synergy with the Department of Agriculture (DA) through sharing of its available resources under the newly-formed Negros Island Region (NIR).

Jose Albert Barrogo was named officer in charge (OIC) Regional Executive Director of the DA-NIR after serving as the regional technical director for operations and extension of the DA-Western Visayas.

SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said in a statement that he has committed to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. to allow the DA to utilize the resources of the SRA, including its personnel, in the delivery of farm extension services.

“I [am] committed to the DA, to Secretary Laurel, to everyone that the DA-NIR can use all the facilities and people of the SRA,” he said.

Azcona and Barrogo met during the SRA’s turnover of farm tractors, irrigation facilities, and start-up capital to 13 block farms on Negros Island at the SRA office in Bacolod City on October 4.

“In Negros Island, we have 16 mill district offices [MDOs]. I offered OIC-Regional Director Albert that they could use our MDOs as a start. We will help the DA so that the extension work already being done by the SRA can include other crops,” the SRA chief said.

Azcona said that during the off-milling season or lean months when there is no sugarcane harvest or sugarcane is not being planted, farmers can cultivate other crops to generate income.

Successful sugarcane block farms also plant corn and rice, he added.

“Administrator Azcona and I talked about this, that the DA and the SRA will work together under the NIR. We will strengthen the provision of interventions from the DA,” Barrogo said.

The NIR, specifically Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, produces 65 percent of the country’s sugar output. (PNA)