The role of agriculture in community building

By Rendell Ron Pacho

IN the heart of the mountain area of barangay

Puray, Rodriguez, Rizal, lies a community that epitomizes the spirit of perseverance and self-sufficiency–Sitio Macaingalan. This remote village has become a model of sustainable agricultural methods, producing nutritious food for its inhabitants.

Residents of Sitio Macaingalan have maintained a substantial connection to the land for generations. Their agricultural way of life provided them with food and promoted a sense of community solidarity.

Fernan A. Bejerano, 22, a young farmer, Sangguniang Kabataan (S.K.) secretary, emergency first responder, and volunteer of the Philippine Red Cross, focused on developing his family’s farmland. His family’s ancestry goes back to the bloodline of the indigenous people of Aklan.

“In grade 12, I had a strong desire to help the community and formed an association of farmers to preserve our culture and traditions. I pursued to become a simple farmer, inheriting my parents’ methods and skills to build my life’s dream and aspirations to help the community,” Bejerano said.

Today he has his farm where he grows crops like banana, calamansi, sour orange, pomelo, coconut, and santol fruit trees. He also grows taro and sweet potato and raises livestock like chickens, ducks, rabbits, and fish.

“During my younger years, I didn’t ask for allowance when I went to school. I just went to our farm and got what was available there. We never had a problem with food. Nature will always provide.” Bejerano added.

Despite Bejerano’s age, he co-founded the community’s primary cooperative, the Multicultural Minorities Farmers Association Inc. It aims to unite and become a model community of farmers that can contribute to the country’s food security and help develop new farming methods. Recently, their association shared their farmlands with other locals in Rizal so that the community could produce more agricultural products.

The community’s unwavering dedication to sustainability is a driving reason behind this land allocation. Farmers in Sitio Macaingalan have reduced their dependency on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides by embracing organic agricultural practices, promoting healthier produce and a cleaner environment.

Their community cultivated crops from rice and vegetables to fruits and herbs because of the good soil, adequate water supplies, and agreeable weather. This agricultural tapestry offers a complete meal for the locals and contributes to preserving traditional farming methods passed down through generations.

The agricultural products of the community are bananas, coconut, root crops such as taro, sweet potato, gingers, turmeric, other vegetables, and some upland rice, which is usually the staple food of the people in the community.

However, the community also faces some challenges. The residents of Sitio Macaingalan have confronted issues ranging from unpredictable weather patterns to limited access to different resources and fundamental healthcare because of undeveloped roads. The agricultural products often do not reach the market because of accessibility is

Cagayan Valley’s first I-Corn Complex breaks ground in Ilagan City

By Jessica M. Bacud

ILAGAN, Isabela—In line with the celebration of Ilagan City’s 11th Cityhood Anniversary and Mammangi Festival, Senator Mark Villar and Mayor Jay Diaz led the groundbreaking and construction of the first-ever I-Corn Complex in Barangay Marana 1st.

The I-Corn complex is the country’s first, with processing and postharvest facilities for feeds and food to ensure the quality of cornbased goods. The structure will provide comprehensive aid to local maize growers in Ilagan, Isabela, and surrounding provinces in Region 2.

Villar lauded the City Government of Ilagan, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office No. 2, and the DA national level’s assistance for the Complex’s development.

“The incomes and productivity of our farmers will increase once this facility is finished,” the senator said.

“This is a symbol of progress, unity, and collective effort of the DA and the City Government for the people of Ilagan City to harness the potential of the corn industry,” Villar said.

“It will also demonstrate Ilagan’s commitment to invest in the future of farmers to ensure their prosperity in the long run.”

The senator also pledged his complete support to the project “until the full benefits are realized.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Diaz emphasized that the I-Corn Complex launching represents “a spectacular confluence of technology, sustainability, and economic development.”

“We envisioned to build the corn innovation center as a training and development hub for agricultural technology advancement, practical farming skills, and technology demonstrations on corn production,” Diaz stressed. sues, resulting in a surplus in their harvest.

Ilagan, as the Corn Capital of the Philippines, “must live up to its hype” to become the hub for food production, considering the viability of raw materials, livestock, and food products through the forward integration process.

Once completed, this will function as a one-stop Agri-Commercial Center to resolve challenges in maize production, notably drying during the wet season.

The facility will also serve the entire Isabela Province in processing their corn harvest. It will cater to the needs of the farmers, fisherfolk, and other stakeholders. Its goal is to be a one-stop shop for all produce.

“We are confident that the project will catalyze positive change in the corn industry by raising standards and establishing new precedents for excellence,” Mayor Diaz remarked.

Bejerano’s vision for his community was high and complex. More than his goal for agricultural development, he was also one of the pioneer residents to become an emergency first responder since he wanted his community to access primary healthcare.

As of now, their association is planning to have a raffle for some motorcycles and small vehicles. It was a part of their aim to fundraise for a multi-purpose terrain-capable ambulance, which could also serve as an accessible clinic and not just an emergency vehicle for the locals.

“There is a big chance of progress in agriculture because it is the main food source for the people. The country’s future depends on the farmers because, without farmers, the people also have no food,” he said.

Bejerano also wanted to promote agriculture tourism. He understands that their place is naturally beautiful, and having an accessible road is the key to boosting their local tourism industry. Their association even planned to have an integrated resort to their farms.

Residents have a revitalized sense of pride in their agricultural heritage. Younger generations are avidly engaged in the rehabilitation of traditional farming systems, bridging the gap between historical wisdom and innovation. This intergenerational collaboration protects their ancestors’ past and advances their community toward a future in which sustainable agriculture is a foundation of strength.

“Development depends on the citizens’ efforts and the local government’s support to those in real need. By repairing the road, farmers will not have difficulty in selling their products, and through agri-tourism, the level of livelihood of local farmers will increase, and the community will develop more.” Bejerano said.

The members of this close-knit town have established a path that honors their roots while embracing the possibilities of tomorrow. It demonstrates that even the smallest town can inspire greatness in the agriculture industry with dedication and solidarity.

is life’

Visayas, DOST, Eco Life partner to develop aquaculture feeds

THE University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the private company Trading Room, the manufacturer of Eco Life, have signed a Collaborative Research Agreement (CRA) to develop immunoactive and growth-promoting aqua feed made from Ulva or seaweed. The project aims to boost the production of organic, seaweed-based feeds for aquatic species such as fish, shrimps, and tilapia.

UP Visayas Chancellor Clement Camposano and Trading Room Managing Director Obi Roco signed the agreement. Joining them were Senior Science Research Specialist Fedelia Flor Mero of the DOST- Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD); Dr. Rex Ferdinand Traifalgar of UPV-DOST; Director Dr. Reynold Tan of UPV’s Technology Transfer and Business Development Office; and UPV’s Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Harold Monteclaro.

“The agreement signifies the joint commitment of the academe and industry in advancing research and development in the country,” said Ms. Mero. “With a focus on creating a positive impact on the agriculture and aquaculture sectors, the DOST-PCAARRD, through its Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division, remains dedicated to supporting projects like this to ensure that we are working towards nourishing our resources to stimulate a healthy ecosystem for the benefit of our stakeholders.” Through the support of DOST-PCAARRD, UP Visayas and Trading Room will be able to work together on R&D—with the former providing the technical expertise and the latter leveraging on its large-scale pro- duction of the ingredient and its marketing network. The project leader is UPV’s Dr. Rex M. Traifalgar, recipient of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) 2015 Outstanding Young Scientist Award in Fisheries Science.

The outcome of the collaboration will facilitate the production of healthy and abundant aquaculture products and invigorate the coastal communities that harvest Ulva seaweed.

Trading Room is the Philippine pioneer in ulva seaweed production and came up with the all-natural feed additive called Eco Life G1. Trading Room’s Ms. Roco declared that this latest partnership affirms their belief in Filipino scientists.

“The result is going to be profound,” she said. “Not only will our seaweed farmers increase their harvests… More farmers will be encouraged to do aquaculture. Suppliers of feeds, vitamins, fishery equipment, and commodity supplies will also benefit from the expansion of the aquaculture industry.”

Chancellor Camposano noted that the prospects are truly encouraging. “Lumot is life,” he quipped, referring to the local term for seaweed.

“U.P. Visayas is determined to engage more deeply with industry, particularly in partnership with companies committed to sustainability and social inclusion and equity,” Chancellor Camposano said, adding their university is exploring the possibility of expanding the partnership to include working with the Mindanao State University in Tawi-Tawi.

For more information on Eco Life G1, visit www. ecolife.ph.