LGU retools local smallholder farmers on corn production
Sharing sustainable agricultural practice on corn production, to improve yields, quality and consistency of the crops have driven the city government to rolled out training efforts to its local small-scale corn farmers.
Through the said activity, the participants gained additional inputs and in-depth understanding of the ideal yield for farmers, basic soil classification, corn leaf stages, as well as pest and post-harvest management.
Resource Speaker and Economic Consultant Rey Legaste pointed out that the said activity is not intended to provide them with corn seeds, but also a sort of follow-up on technology component to further increase the knowledge of farmers on the use of technology in surging the yield of mais.
“Mag tan-aw kita sang programa nga may dako nga impact sa aton mangunguma labi na gid sa ila nga way of farming kag iban nga component kabahin sa cultural management practices sang mga crops. Nang makahatag sang titig sa aton kalikasan, maayo nga income kag socially-accepted nga mga technology para sa ila,” Legaste said.
In order to improve the competitiveness, productivity and income of local corn growers, the city government allocated a budget of 1.5 million and provided the 503 growers with a cash aid of P2,000 per person intended for the purchase of agriculture seeds of their choice.
For their output, the City Agriculture’s Office, together with the Committee on Agriculture and Barangay Councils will be conducting an actual monthly field monitoring, series of training, and feedbacking from the farmers on the resources they need for the local government to prioritize.
Meanwhile, in his 40 years of experience as a corn farmer, Antonio Balawing, 61, a resident of Purok San Francisco, Barangay New Pangasinan, was still able to grasp the information to increase corn production.
“Tungod sini, nakabalo ako sang classification sang lupa kung ano nga abono ang gamiton. Dapat kita nga corn farmers, aware kita sa training nga pareha sini para madugangan ang kaalam tungod ang pag panguma dapat madugangan sang teknolohiya,” Balawing expressed.
Balawing also commended the government’s innovation and the tireless support of the current administration to local farmers.
“Kung sa programa sang aton bago nga Mayor, naga pasalamat kami kay nahatagan kami sang talupangod para sa amon nga pananom nga mais,” Balawing expressed.
On the other hand, the initiatives enable to address complex barriers faced by smallholder farmers and giving them access to the resources they need, which also requires collaboration with LGUs by formulating micro-strategies and complimenting projects at the local level.
The training component program have targeted farmers, hailing from the selected barangays of Paraiso, Saravia, Carpenter Hill, Concepcion, Magsaysay, San Roque, New Pangasinan, Sto. Niño, Rotonda, Esperanza, Mabini, San Jose and Topland.
The said activity was held last July 10 at Barangay New Pangasinan, City of Koronadal.