CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — Five farm associations consisting of 115 farmers in Occidental Mindoro underwent training in the production of rice, corn, coconuts, raising and breeding cattle and goats under the Department of Agriculture-Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2.
Amid various challenges such as climate change affecting the local rice production in the province, Angelo Dionela, a skilled rice farmer, taught the concept of the ‘PalayCheck System’ to farmers who are members of the Ambil Farmers Association in Barangay Take, Looc.
The PalayCheck System is a comprehensive system and guide, which includes basic technologies, practices, and standards for the proper management of rice crops especially in the face of challenges such as climate change.
This system also focuses on basic post-harvest practices, including drying, cleaning, and storage of rice. It serves as a guide in choosing the appropriate drying method to maintain rice quality and prevent spoilage, effective cleaning processes, and safe storage methods.
This not only improves the quality and quantity of rice yield but also helps maintain the economic status of farmers by reducing postharvest losses and ensuring long-term rice production capacity.
Moreover, the farmers were also trained on proper land preparation including proper depth and spacing of corn, selection of good seed varieties, effective management of diseases and pests, fertilization and irrigation, as well as harvesting and post-harvest handling of corn.
The training ended with an on-site demonstration where the participants learned the proper soil preparation and proper measurement of the depth and spacing of each corn plant.
Also, in coordination with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Mimaropa, 25 farmers who are members of the West Farmers Association in Barangay West underwent training in coconut production.
Among those discussed are good agricultural practices in coconut cultivation, proper nursery construction techniques, and suitable field layouts to ensure that the whole land is benefited with enough space for crop rotation.
Lorelyn Villas, secretary of the Talaotao Farmers Association, was one of those who attended the goat raising training. Villas expressed her gratitude to the DA-SAAD program for providing them with the knowledge and needs.
“Pinasasalamatan po namin ang mga taga-SAAD dahil kami po ay nabigyan ninyo ng dagdag kaalaman kung paano pauunlarin ang aming samahan at ganon din po sa pangangalaga ng aming magiging proyektong kambingan, kung paano namin ito mapangangalagaan ng maayos. Salamat din po sa Department of Agriculture sa pagtugon sa aming pangangailangan para magkaroon ng hanapbuhay,” said Villas.
Meanwhile, the process of distribution of interventions under the said projects continues where the agriculture department intends to complete their provision with a total amount of P5,419,486 before the end of the current year. (GATS/PIA MIMAROPA)
