(lower image[1] from SlideShare)
I am reading ANN’s Facebook post, “Farmer Co-Operator Testimony[2]” (Author Not Named, 18 October 2021), from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Cagayan Valley Regional Crop Protection Center Region 2 (RCPC 2). I see Palayamanan reincarnated as Rice-Based Integrated Farming System(IFS), no ifs and buts, and the farmer-cooperators of RCPC 2 are happy! So is this agriculturist!
On Facebook, Jonabelle Infante says the project “Outscaling Of Rice-Based Farming System Launched In Jones” (Isabela) was started by RCPC 2 on 27 November 2020. With funding by the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), 50 farmer-cooperators from Barangays Arub-ub and San Jose received the following: water pumps, corn & vegetable seeds, free-range chicken for egg production, organic and inorganic fertilizers, and a Trichodermafungus culture for making compost. Before this, it was noted that the majority of farmers were practicing monoculture – the growing of rice only.
The news report is of the outscaling of upland rice-based farming systems in Jones, Isabela, one of 16 outscaling projects funded by the BAR in support of the Plant, Plant, Plant Program of the DA amid the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.
The seeds distributed in Jones included hybrid corn for cropping December to March, upland rice for June to October, open-pollinated vegetables (such as string beans, eggplant and pepper) for year-round planting – and banana. The farmers’ trainings included the raising of free-range chicken, growing of straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea). making compost with the activator Trichoderma, as well as keeping records.
Ms Jonabelle says:
Regional Technical Director for Research and (Regulations) Rose Mary G Aquino reminded the farmer-cooperators that the project inputs (were) just instruments for them to achieve success and challenged them to encourage other farmers to practice the technologies of the project.
I see that Ms Mary Rose makes an excellent point: The success of the Jones farmers with the IFS depended mainly on their cooperation and not the project inputs, which have to be used properly.
Jones Mayor Leticia Sebastian reminded the farmers to share with other farmers the water pumps and encouraged them to take good care of those.
The farmers gave thanks to the RCPC 2 project. I am translating freely: Kennedy P Mangaoilsaid, “I am lucky that among the many farmers in our barangay, I was chosen as a project beneficiary.” Angelito Tangonansaid, “We thank DA Region 2 and BAR for bringing the project to our place. Even if the project has not been completed, already we can see the great benefits coming from it.” Jones Curammeng“pledged to share the technologies he learned from the project.”
My agriculturist congratulations to the BAR and staff of RCPC in Cagayan Valley!@517
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