NEGROS ORIENTAL, November 13, 2023 – Ensuring year-round vermicomposting, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Central Visayas provided vermicomposting sheds to three (3) farmers associations (FAs) in Negros Oriental last September 28, 2023. 

The three (3) composting facilities worth Php 960,000 will be benefited by the 100 members of  Tayak Proper FA, 28 members of Tayak Mainit Farmers and Fishermen Association,  and 43 members of Cabangahan Tayak FA by allowing them to produce vermicast fertilizer.

The said facility is part of SAAD Phase 1’s package of Backyard Cattle Fattening Project in 2021. However, as the structure will be placed in a forest area which requires a *Gratuitous Special Use of Permit (GSUP) to be processed under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, it took a year for the permit to be granted, thus, justifying the delay of delivery.

In the turnover activity led by the DA Central Visayas Field Operations Division Chief Dr. Gerry S. Avila, he encouraged the farmers to continue growing various crops as vermicomposting helps in germination, plant growth, and crop yield.

“Ipadayon lang nato ang pagpananom. Pwede kaayo ninyo gamiton sa individual farming kaning inyohang dakong yuta sa Siaton aron mutaas ang produksyon o pwede pud sa pagpamuhi ug baka ug uban pang mga kahayupan. Kani nga vermi shed makakuha mo ani puhon og vermicast nga magamit ninyo sa inyong mga pagpananom ug pwede pud ibaligya ninyo ang sobra,”  Avila stated.

(Let’s continue farming. The wide land area of Siaton can be potentially used for the expansion of crop production, raising cattle and other livestock. This vermi-shed can help you produce vermicast that you can use for your crop production and sell the excess.)

The vermicomposting sheds  in Siaton will serve as storage of animal manure which the farmers will then use as organic fertilizer for their plants. 

The ceremony was attended by Siaton Municipal Agricultural Officer Nestor K. Macahig, DA 7 SAAD Provincial Coordinator Mary Ronville M. Aba, Tayak Brgy. Chairperson Renato Morato, OPBME Lead Jerrylyn Lamoste, SAAD staff and the Tayak farmer beneficiaries.

Mr. Preciano Raguing, President of Cabangahan Tayak Farmers Association, vowed to take good care of the vermi-sheds and expand vegetable production  for a more profitable venture.

“Daghang salamat kaayo sa mga gihatag kanamo nga mga proyekto. Nalipay mi nga nagmalampuson gyud ang inyong saad, wala mapakyas. So kaning proyekto sa gobyerno amo ning ampingan gyud sa among asosasyon. Mukooperar ming tanan aron makaincome mi diri,” said Mr. Raguing.

(I’m beyond grateful for the livelihood projects provided to us. We are happy that you fulfilled your commitment. Our association will take good care of these and we will all cooperate so we can have more profit.)

The farmers in Tayak, Siaton are expecting to continuously produce organic fertilizer from the vermicompost sheds starting next year. ###

*GSUP is a five-year permit authorizing a head of a government agency and/or local chief executive to use certain portions of forest lands free of charge for the development of government-managed projects of national interest and infrastructures for public service and use, and non-commercial projects of Government-owned and Controlled Corporation.

Writer: Jessica R. Alvero, DA–SAAD Central Visayas Information Officer
Source: May Pialago, DA-SAAD Negros Oriental Area Coordinator