A total of 160 farmers from eight farmers associations in Romblon were upskilled in mixed-crop production through training conducted by the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) MIMAROPA from March 5 to May 3, 2025. They learned sustainable ways of growing vegetables, root crops, corn, and coconut.
Four associations under the SAAD Vegetable Production Projects joined the vegetable farming training. These were the San Isidro Farmers and Fisherfolks Association (Sta. Maria), Samahan ng Magsasaka ng Sitio Cahayagan (Alcantara), Pagsangahan Farmers Association (Calatrava), and PAWIKAN “Pangalagaan, Wastohin, Paggamit ng Kalikasan” (Banton). Ms. Madonna Abegail G. Matre, an Instructor I from Romblon National Institute of Technology (RNIT), trained them on land preparation, choosing seeds, planting schedules, applying fertilizers, managing pests and diseases, and harvesting.
Ms. Matre also conducted a Specialized Training on Root Crops Production for members of the Masikap Farmers Association in Banton. She highlighted crop selection, propagation methods, soil and plant management, as well as harvesting and root crops marketing.
Meanwhile, members of the Camili Corn Growers Association (Alcantara) and Claro M. Recto Corn and Cassava Farmers Association (Ferrol) underwent Specialized Training on Corn Production. The said training was facilitated by Engr. Wally Boy Falcutila, Provincial Corn Coordinator, and Mr. Sandy A. Bantang, Provincial Corn Staff, from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg). The speakers emphasized updated practices in planting corn, pest management, harvesting, and marketing strategies aimed at improving farm productivity and profitability.
In a separate training, Ms. Donna Mycah P. Gaa, Agriculturist I, Mr. Oscar Manlolo, Agriculturist I, and Ms. Hazel B. Noche, Agriculturist II, from the Philippine Coconut Authority – Romblon, trained the members of the Alcantara Coconut Farmers Association on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for coconut farming. Topics included site selection and management, sourcing and selection of quality planting materials, farm establishment and maintenance, harvesting, and postharvest handling.
Participants expressed appreciation for the opportunity to upgrade their farming knowledge. “Natutunan po namin paano magtatanim nang tama, kailan dapat i-harvest ang bunga ng aming mga tanim, at paano maglagay ng organic fertilizer. Maraming salamat po sa pagtuturo sa amin,” said Joji P. Sabad, secretary of Samahan ng mga Magsasaka ng Sitio Cahayagan (SAMASICA).
[We learned how to plant properly, when to harvest our plants’ produce, and how to apply an organic fertilizer. Thank you very much for teaching us.]
Except for the Claro M. Recto Corn and Cassava FA, the associations involved are new beneficiaries under the SAAD Program’s expansion in MIMAROPA. These capacity-building activities aim to strengthen the beneficiaries’ capability in production and prepare them for efficient and sustainable project management.
