SORSOGON – A total of 100 farmer-beneficiaries of the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agriculture Development (DA-SAAD) Program in Sorsogon had undergone training on Upland Rice Production as an initial intervention of the program. Two batches were held for the said training.

The first batch of training was held in Dancalan, Donsol on 16-18 April 2018 and was attended by 55 farmer-beneficiaries from the municipalities of Pilar (Barangays Calongay and Sta. Fe) and Donsol (Barangays Pinamanaan, Lourdes, and Malapoc).

On the other hand, 45 farmer-beneficiaries from the municipalities of Juban (Barangays Calmayon, Putting Sapa, and Maalo) and Matnog (Barangay Senibaran) attended the second batch of training held on 18-20 April 2018 in Juban.

Majority of the participants are beneficiaries of the 4Ps and some are members of indigenous people located in bypassed marginal communities. More than 65% of the participants are housewives or female head of the family.

Department of Agriculture Regional Office Superintendent of Central Bicol Experiment Station (CBES) Corazon Orbon discussed the varieties of upland rice while Maricris Reforba of the Operations Division discussed rice pre and postharvest practices. Cindie Pardo of Regional Crops Protection Center discussed Integrated Pest Management. Aside from lectures, the participants had a workshop on farm planning and budgeting.

The SAAD Program targets to expand upland rice production in Sorsogon by covering at least 30 hectares for each of the five municipalities (Magallanes, Pilar, Donsol, Sta. Magdalena and Juban) included in the program, according to Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer for Sorsogon and Albay Florentino Ubalde.

Meanwhile, a total of 200 individual beneficiaries were selected to receive upland rice seeds and complete fertilizers after their training. Four organized farmers’ groups will also receive rice threshers.

Locally-funded by DA, the program is in line with the government’s initiatives to help alleviate poverty among the marginalized sectors in agriculture and fishery. The program has two major components: Social Preparation and Intensified Production and Livelihood Interventions based on the assessed needs of the farmer-beneficiaries. ###

Writer: Jean Amoloza, PR & Communications Officer

Source: Lovella P. Guarin, DA-RFO 5