The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Davao successfully conducted a two-day Specialized Training on Corn Production and Management with emphasis on Sustainable Corn Production in Sloping Areas (SCoPSA) for twenty-five (25) members of the Ugnayan ng mga Magsasakang Lumad ng Trese in Barangay Tubaon, Tarragona, held on May 7–8, 2026.
The training was led by Ms. Rosa Mia A. Cristino, resource person from the Provincial Agriculturist Office of Davao Oriental, strengthening the technical knowledge and practical skills of farmer-beneficiaries in adopting sustainable and climate-resilient corn production practices, particularly suited for sloping agricultural lands.
A key feature of the activity was the hands-on field demonstration conducted in a communal learning area covering 1.5 hectares, where participants were guided through the step-by-step application of recommended corn production technologies in preparation for the upcoming planting season under the SCoPSA initiative.
The training also highlighted the integration of crop, livestock, and poultry production through the establishment of a demo farm under Sloping Agricultural Land Technology 2 (SALT 2). This approach promotes diversified farming systems, soil conservation, improved land use management, and increased productivity in upland communities.
For the participating farmers, the training was both timely and highly relevant to their livelihood. Association member Joqlecito Daum expressed that the intervention is essential to their work as corn farmers, emphasizing their commitment to apply the knowledge gained from the training. He shared:
“Kini na training kinahanglan jud nato kay mag-uuma man ta ug mais, maong kita atoa jud isadughan ang tanan nato makat-unan gikan sa SAAD.”
(This training is really important for us because we are corn farmers, so we should apply and strengthen everything we learned from SAAD.)
Meanwhile, Food Production and Livelihood (FPL) Unit representative Aurish Calawen underscored the importance of continuously guiding farmers toward improved and more efficient farming practices. She noted that the initiative is part of the program’s efforts to strengthen on-ground support for farmers, saying:
“Isa kini sa mga lakang sa programa aron mas magabayan pa atoang mga farmers og unsaon mas mapanindot ug epektibo ang ilahang pagpananom.”
(This is one of the program’s efforts to further guide our farmers on how to make their farming more improved and effective.)
As part of the program support, the association is set to receive 60 bags of corn seeds amounting to Php 317,700 (Php 5,295 per bag) by the end of May 2026. This intervention is expected to further boost corn production and strengthen the establishment of a more sustainable farming system in the area.
Moving forward, the Ugnayan ng mga Magsasakang Lumad ng Trese Association also expressed its intention to develop the site as a recognized Agro-Demo Site for the SCoPSA program, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable and resilient agricultural development in upland communities.###
