DAVAO REGION, July 12, 2023 – As part of the program’s corn project this year, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2 Davao Region (Region 11) arranged the best practices for corn training for 12 farmer groups to upgrade their knowledge and skills after receiving corn production livelihood assistance.

More than Php 15.7 million, or 48% of the total Php 32.6 million allocated to SAAD Davao Region for FY 2023, was allotted for the hybrid yellow corn production project. 

SAAD Davao Region kicked off its distribution of corn implements to San Roque Farmers Association in San Isidro, Davao del Norte last June. 

“Nagpasalamat ko sa training kay nadugangan amoang experience bahin sa pagtanum. Kung naa man kuy nakutlo nako, kinahanglan jud nga mas maningkamot pa ming mag-uuma para mas mulambo ang proyekto,” Mr. Cristomo Mique, Chairperson for Upper Tibanban Farmers’ Association, said.

(I’m grateful for the training because it added knowledge to my expertise in corn planting. If there’s something that I truly realized, it’s that we need to strive more in order to make the project prosper.)

Specialized training focused on managing and production of commodities is required for the beneficiaries to instill updated and effective farming practices for better utilization of project resources. The 12 farmers associations (FAs) received lectures on corn planting fundamentals, best practices in fertilization, and management of pests. 

The FAs primed up for the project consist of: Pichon Farmers Livelihood Association, Tomoaong Livestock Agriculture Association, Basac-Limentuog-Candiis FA, Davao Oriental Former Rebels Association, Mantunao FA, Junction Upland FA, Upper Tibanban FA from Davao Oriental; San Roque FA and Banoog CAA FA from Davao del Norte, San Malbino Micro-Hydro Power Association andPangaleon FA from Davao Occidental, and Bulol-Salo Indigenous People’s Association from Davao del Sur. Each FA consists of 25 members.

“Kaning training, nakahatag jud sa akoa ug kahibalo isip usa ka maguuma, kay akong nahibal-an nga maong gagmay akoang income kay wala ko kabalo sa teknolohiya ug pamaagi para mudako ang abot,” Ms. Maretes Sacobos, a farmer-trainee, related.

(This training instilled in me new knowledge as a farmer. Previously, I didn’t know the technology and management to increase yield, but now I’ve learned why my harvests usually fall short).

SAAD Davao Region tapped local experts from Provincial and Municipal Agriculture Offices across the region to facilitate the series of training. 

Corn Production Project 

DA-SAAD Davao Region’s corn project aims to increase corn production in hinterland areas of Davao Region, usually uncovered by the agency’s corn program. Identified FAs will receive 24 bags of hybrid yellow corn, 108 bags of complete fertilizer, 36 bags of urea, and various vegetable seeds. The program expects the project to cover a consolidated production area of 144 hectares (12 hectares per FA) of production. 

Aside from these, the FAs are also set to receive herbicides (5 bottles), insecticides (10 bottles), and fungicides (15 bottles). The production project costs more than Php 14.4 million for the implements alone, excluding the specialized training.

“Atoang projects karon, giisa na – naay hayop ug tanom nga mukumplemento sa usag-usa. Ingon ana atoang pamaagi para paghuman nila ug tanom, dili lang sila maghulat sa abot, naa silay adlaw-adlaw nga amomahon nga makahatag pud sa ilaha ug dugang panginabuhian,” Ms. Bernalyn Briones from SAAD Davao Region said. 

(Our projects now, are integrated – there is an animal component as well as a crop component. They would complement each other. It’s the approach so that after our beneficiaries have finished planting the crops, they will have day-to-day activities to tend to like the animals, which could also be a means of additional income).

Livelihood project identification

Corn production was previously identified as a viable agri-intervention from beneficiary needs assessment (BNA). The program chose hybrid yellow corn varieties previously tested to have fared well in the region whether in hillside, sloping, or plain planting areas.

“Tumong ug tinguha sa atoang programa tung una pa nga makatabanag sa atoang mga mag-uuma. Gikan sa OPV corn didto sa Davao de Oro, karon manghatag na pud ta ug hybrid yellow corn,” Ms. Naomi Lamata, Alternate Assistant Regional Focal, emphasized.

(It has been the thrust of the program to help our farmers. From OPV corn for Davao de Oro, this time around, we’ll give hybrid yellow corn). ###

Writer: James Brian R. Flaga, DA-SAAD Davao Region Information Officer
Source: DA-SAAD Davao Region