Clear vision, close coordination and determination
equal success.
These are
the driving force of Caraga AgriPinoy Corn Program in attaining various
achievements not just in terms of awards but on helping the farmers alleviate
their plight.
DA RFO 13 Acting Director Edna Mabeza, incalculated into the minds of
every staff on the corn program the importance of closely coordinating with the
local government units in all its programs and activities.
Thus as a
result of close coordination, DA RFO 13 garnered five major awards last year
during the 1st National Quality Corn Achievers Awards wherein the
awarding was held at Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay City last October 23,
2013.
Caraga region
grabbed the following awards: Most Outstanding Province: Province of Agusan del
Sur, Most Outstanding Municipalities: Esperanza, Agusan del Sur and Las Nieves,
Agusan del Norte; Most Outstanding Provincial Corn Coordinator- Perla C.
Galaura of Agusan del Sur; Most Outstanding Municipal Corn Coordinators: Mary
Jane A. Maratas and Jovie R. Ego-ugan; and Most Outstanding Corn AEWs: Ismael Saguran
and Nelson Dulayba.
The awarding
ceremony was attended by Acting Director Edna Mabeza, Caraga AgriPinoy Corn
Coordinator Abel Wagas and no less than Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala
who handed over the awards and prizes.
This activity aimed the country’s corn
industry to scale height with a proof of the strong partnership of government,
private sector, corn farmers and other stakeholders.
But grabbing an award is just a tip of the
iceberg. What is most important is the growth rate on corn production attained
last year.
Based on data, corn production posted an
increase of 20.06% for the year 2013 as compared to 2012 or an annual
production of 89,521 metric tons (MT) on 2012 to 107,476 MT on 2013. This was
attributed to increase in area harvested which was 33,830 hectares in 2012 to
38,017 hectares in 2013 and an increase in yield from 2.65 tons in 2012 to 2.83
tons in 2013 or an increment of 6.83%.
Increase in area for corn was due to
availability of seeds and favorable soil moisture while increase in yield was
attributed to lesser occurrence of pests and diseases as well as the use of
high quality seeds.
To strengthen coordination, DA RFO 13 meet
with its local government unit counterparts composed of 82 LGU agricultural
extension workers working with the corn program region wide more often.
Aside from meetings, AEWS were also equipped with the necessary
capabilities through training of trainers (TOT) and other field exposure
activities.
On the other hand, to make the farmers at
par with the agri-technological advances, farmers field schools (FFS) were
conducted.
Radio was also tapped in teaching the
farmers through the University on the Air on Corn Production aired on four
radio stations in Caraga. It was a two month radio airing using the corn
production module anchored by the respective LGU corn coordinators together
with the provincial farmcasters.
To further encourage the farmers in its
endeavor, various interventions had been implemented such as the provision of
farm mechanization projects ranging from planting to harvesting as well as
inputs needed by the farmers.
Aside from production side, DA RFO 13 also
implemented massive campaign on consumption of white corn through information
and education campaign.
Following the milestones in the roadmap
towards corn sufficiency in the country it is not far that Caraga Region will
suffice and even more than its commodity demand.
Armed with technically equipped staff
including its LGU counterparts and development minded farmers, who knows’
Caraga Region will become a major corn producer in the country. (Aurell P.
Arais/DA CARAGA)
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