DA shares farming knowledge to inmates in RISE project

A person deprived of liberty harvesting tomatoes at the technology demonstration farm at Iwahig Prison and Penal Colony in Palawan. Photo from the Department of Agriculture

MANILA, Philippines — Inmates or Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) look forward to using the benefits of the Reformation Initiative for Sustainable Environment (RISE) for Food Security Project once they step out of prison.

The project is a collaboration of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Justice. It is an initiative of the government for the reformation of PDLs, aiming to contribute to the country’s food security.

“Paglabas ko po dito, magagamit ko ang mga natutunan ko sa pagtatanim para makapamuhay ako nang maayos,” a PDL with an alias “Kamote” was quoted in a DA statement on Tuesday.

(When I leave this place, I will be able to use my learnings to sustain a good livelihood.)

The PDL said that with the program, he is confident that he will have a better life when he steps out of prison.

Phase one of the RISE project trains Kamote, along with 69 more inmates, to be responsible individuals and productive farmers. The DA noted that the training began in July.

“Imbes na mag-isip po ako ng kung anu-ano, dito nalilibang na ako, naihahanda ko pa ang sarili ko paglabas ko,” he added, saying he enjoys the farm work.

(Instead of thinking about different things, I get entertained here, and at the same time prepare myself for my liberation.)

According to the DA, they had the harvest festival for the project’s 4.5-hectare technology demonstration farm at Iwahig Prison and Penal Colony in Palawan last Dec. 5 to 7. Rice and various vegetables are grown on the farm.

On its last day, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Laurel Jr., through a message read by Bureau of Plant Industry Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban, said that the harvest festival is a fruit of the labor of the PDLs, as well as their collaboration with the DOJ and the private sector.

“We will reform and prepare you for your reintegration into society. You are now farmers para sa masaganang bagong Pilipinas,” he said.

(We will reform and prepare you for your reintegration into society. You are now farmers for a bountiful Philippines.)

READ: Harvest time in December for DA, DOJ’s Iwahig pilot farm project

Laurel likewise reiterated their goal of modernizing the country’s agriculture from production to processing.

Meanwhile, Panganiban thanked the private sector for their support for the DA’s projects and emphasized that the partnership with them led to collaborations towards entrepreneurship and modern farming technology.

READ: DA, DOJ ink pact on agricultural use of idle BuCor lands

The DA said different private seed companies also vowed to remain as partners of the national government as they share the vision of having a food-secured nation.

Under the 2024 development plan, the agency said the second phase of the RISE project will cover a total of 500 hectares of Iwahig’s property.

The farm will have cashew, corn, and rice production, a tilapia pond, and areas for livestock raising and pasture, the DA added.