The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) MIMAROPA trained 98 farmers in Romblon on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for corn production and postharvest management on May 11, 12, and 14 to help improve productivity, reduce losses, and increase income.
Participants came from corn-producing associations under SAAD Phase 2, including the Hinag-oman Lowland and Upland Integrated Farmers Association, Hinag-oman Corn, Cassava and Vegetable Growers Association, and Claro M. Recto Corn and Cassava Farmers Association in Ferrol. Members of the Suong Farmers Association, as well as the Camili, Bonlao, and Calagonsao Corn Growers Associations in Alcantara, also benefited from the training.
DA-SAAD MIMAROPA tapped resource speakers from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg), including Engr. Wally Boy F. Falcutila, Provincial Corn Program Coordinator, and Mr. Sandy A. Bantang, Provincial Corn Program staff.
Engr. Falcutila presented corn production practices covering land preparation, seed selection, proper planting, fertilizer application, and harvesting. He also emphasized the importance of regular farm monitoring to prevent pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiency.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bantang discussed Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and introduced environment-friendly approaches to controlling pests and diseases in corn farms. He also highlighted the benefits of proper farm sanitation, biological control, and responsible pesticide use in protecting the health of farmers and consumers, as well as the environment.
Participants shared the challenges they commonly encounter in corn production and sought recommendations from the speakers.
Margie Miñano, president of Suong Farmers Association, expressed gratitude to the program and resource speakers for the knowledge and skills they gained from the training.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa SAAD sa patuloy na pagpapaunlad ng aming mga kaalaman sa pagtatanim ng mais at sa mga interventions na aming natatanggap,” she said.
[We are thankful to SAAD for continuously improving our knowledge in planting corn and for the interventions that we have received.]
The training forms part of the SAAD Program’s Food Production and Livelihood (FPL) component, which aims to strengthen the technical capabilities of farmer-beneficiaries, improve corn yield, and help maintain their livelihood projects through sustainable production practices.
