Farmers in Siquijor received agricultural interventions in support to the High Value Crops Program (HVCDP) of the Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas (DA7) under the Gulayan sa Barangay (GSB) project.
Some 84 kilograms of assorted vegetable seeds were distributed to 42 barangays from the six municipalities of the province. The inputs have also 420 bags of organic fertilizers and 420 hand trowels and sprinklers, 84 shovels, pick mattocks and rakes and 42 rolls of plastic mulch.
Each barangay received 10 bags of organic fertilizers, 10 hand trowels and sprinklers, 2 shovels, pick mattocks and rake and 1 roll of plastic mulch.
Under the urban agriculture project, 5 kilograms of veggie seeds, 70 bags of organic fertilizers and 50 sprinklers and hand trowels were distributed to the barangays of Balolang, Cangmalalag, North Poblacion, and South Poblacion in the Municipality of Larena and Barangay Campalanas in the Municipality of Lazi.
Veggie seeds distributed for the 2 projects include kangkong, tomato, eggplant, okra, pechay, string beans, and ampalaya.
Aside from the veggie seeds, 870 banana seedlings were also distributed to the barangays of Pisong A and Pisong B in the Municipality of Maria and another 500 banana seedlings were given to Barangay Caitican in the Municipality of Siquijor. # # # (DA-RFO VII, RAFIS)
Iloilo farmers’ group gets P5-M projects to improve rice production
Members of the Pangi Small Water Irrigation System Association (SWISA) of San Dioniso, Iloilo received P5,080,000.00 worth of diversion dam project, rice thresher, rice reaper, and five granular applicators from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Western Visayas.
“These irrigation and mechanization support projects are intended to expand the irrigated rice production areas, increase farmers’ yield and enhance cropping intensity in the municipality,” said Engr. Jose Albert Barrogo, chief of the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (DA-RAED) during the turnover program held on March 30.
Amounting to P4.5 million, the diversion dam project was constructed as a supplementary source for irrigation of 27-hectare rainfed areas in Brgy. Pangi. This was funded under the DA Rice Program, the pier-type dam is seven meters wide and 10 meters long.
On the other hand, the P500,000.00 worth of farm machinery provided to the association seek to hasten the rice production and harvesting activities of the SWISA members.
The mechanical reaper can harvest at least 2.5 hectares per day with 85 percent minimum field efficiency while the open-cylinder-type rice thresher has two tons per hour output capacity.
Aside from broadcasting seeds evenly, the knap-sack type and gasoline-powered granular applicator can also be used as fertilizer and pesticide-sprayer.
“Daku guid ang mabulig sang dam para sa pagpatubig sang amon nga talamnan. Masolusyonan naman ang problema sa manug-garab kay may ginhatag man nga makinarya sa amon nga asosasyon,”said chairman Rey Bama of Pangi Farmers SWISA. # # # (AMSTabura / DA-RFO VI, RAFIS)
Iriga City Vegetable Growers get 2.5-Million worth of gardening package from the DA
IRIGA CITY. To continuously carry out its mission to secure food for urban families amidst our present situation, the Department of Agriculture Bicol thru the High Value Crop Development Program distributed a total of Php 2,529,186.00 worth of gardening equipment to various Urban Vegetable Growers / Organization from different barangays on March 22 at the Oragon Farm, San Isidro of this City. Said farm which is owned by the Local Government of Iriga City also showcase modern urban gardening technology to inspire urban families to grow their own vegetables.
The provisions include: Community garden package like cultivators, fertilizers, garden tools, assorted vegetable seeds, greenhouses and urban mushroom production package.
During the turn over ceremony, City Mayor Madelaine Alfelor expressed her concern on the misconception on farmers as being poor. “Pag sinabing farmer ang iisipin ng marami, mahirap. Gusto ko, isipin naman na ang farmer ay mayaman” she said. But with the support of the DA and other partner institutions and cooperation of everyone, there is great hope that farmers can really be wealthy she added. She pointed out that the adoption of modern mechanization, digitization and diversification will encourage the youths to replace aging farmers.
Meanwhile, one of the recipients, Marjorie Mabunga of Millenial Farmers Association shared that she was surprised of what was allotted to them. “Hindi namin inaasahan na mabibiyayaan kami ng DA ng ganito kalaking halaga ng mga kagamitan sa gardening tulad ng cultivator, knapsack sprayer, water plastic drums, fertilizer at iba pa.” “Maraming salamat sa mga kinauukulan at ipinapangako namin na aming pagyayamanin at iingatan ang mga kagamitan upang lalong umunlad ang aming samahan para makatulong sa iba at mapalago ang aming garden,” she quipped.
Dr. Mary Grace Rodriguez, chief, Operations Division and HVCDP coordinator represented Regional Executive Director Rodel Tornilla in the MOA signing. Other guest and officials present were: Madelaine Alfelor, City Mayor; Engr. Janice Orciga, OIC, City Agricucltuirist; Edgar Oliva, City HVCDP coordinator, Pedro Oliver, Sr. Agriculturist and focal person on Urban Mushroom Production, and some barangay officials.
Beneficiaries were: Millenial Farmers Association; Greenstar Vegetable Growers Association; San Rafael Vegetable Growers Association. Marilou Lee received the package for Urban Mushroom Production. # # #(Text by B. Nunez & photo by Emil Pasumbal / DA-RFO V)