PCARRD MIS updates FITS Dumangas, New Lucena

By Hope Patricio

Regional Applied Communications Group

Central Philippine University

To monitor the data content buildup and the interconnectivity of the Farmers Information and Technological Services (FITS) Centers and brief the staff on how to improve the services they offer to their clientele, three personnel of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) Management Information System (MIS) Division, namely— Annabelle B. Carandang, Rick Adrian Mulimbayan and Ella B. Banales visited the FITS centers in Dumangas and New Lucena in Iloilo on May 04, 2010.

The PCARRD team was joined by the Techno Gabay Program team of the Central Philippine University (CPU), their partner member agency–in-charge, headed by Dr. Reynaldo Dusaran, Team Leader; Engr. Aries Roda Romallosa, Regional Management Information Systems (RMISG) representative; and Prof. Hope Patricio, Regional Applied Communications (RACG) representative.

HW R U DOING?

The PCARRD MIS and CPU TG teams meet with the staff and personnel of FITS Dumagas (top left and right photos) and FITS New Lucena (bottom left and right photos).

FITS Batad’s OPV course features USM corn experts

By Eva S. Montero

Manager, FITS Batad

On April 27–29, 2010, the Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center in Batad, Iloilo hosted a course on Open-Pollinated Variety (OPV) corn seed production, featuring corn experts from the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) based in Kabacan, North Cotabato.

Mr. William B. Malacad, facilitator and officer-in-charge of corn seed production at USM, shared his expertise on the cultural management practices of corn; while Dr. Abraham G. Castillo, vice-president for resource generation & entrepreneurial services, lectured on field monitoring. Dr. Amancio D. Manceras focused on plant breeding while Iloilo Provincial Corn Coordinator Almie Villamera taught farmers on pest and nutrient management.

Mr. Nemisio Argumento, chief of the National Seed Quality Control Services (NSQCS) of Region 6, oriented the farmers on the nitty-gritty of seeds certification in the region.

Coordinated by LGU Batad and Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) VI, the three-day OPV course benefited some 45 corn farmers representing the 24 barangays. Participants also included agriculture students and faculty of the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC) Batad Campus in Batad, Iloilo.

CAPABILITY FOR CORN

The FITS Batad initiative sought to enhance the capability for corn farmers even as it banners the product for One Town One Product (OTOP).

Participants found that the prospects of corn seed production as a lucrative source of income. “We are thankful to Batad FITS and University of Southern Mindanao (USM), for this technology that could help us gain profit,” said Rodrigo Bigbig, a corn farmer from barangay Calangag.

Batad Mayor Elvira P. Alarcon recognized the advantages and market potential of OPVs. “The use of high-yielding OPV will create tremendous increase in the production level of farmers with low input. Our farmers could produce OPV corn seeds which could augment their income,” Alarcon said.

Encouraging farmers to apply in their respective farms what they have learned from the training, Castillo also urged them that the resources in corn seed production have been placed at their disposal. “Huwag nyong ipagkait ang inyong nalaman sa training na ito (Please share what you have learned from the training course),” Castillo said.

The lecture seminar also allowed for corn farmers to organize a cooperative that will launch OPV seed production Batad. Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) Rolando Lamigo (appointed by WESVARRDEC in 2009) was elected president.

FITS Oton field day features processed darag, MS Gumana

By Niño S. Manaog

Regional Applied Communications

With Reports from Dina Palma and Emma Haro

Estofadong darag and darag embutido—these were the original, delectable dishes featured as winners in the Field Day by the Farmers Information & Technology Services (FITS) Center Oton held recently in Poblacion, Oton, Iloilo.

Retired bank employee Rene Singson of barangay Cagbang showcased to the audience embutidong darag, which ranked first place (with 85.6%); while the second-place winner was awarded to housewife Tita Turija of barangay Lambuyao who presented her estofadong darag recipe (with 74%).

The first place winner received 3,000 pesos while the second place winner was awarded 2,000. Both contestants participated in the darag native chicken production trainings in 2008 and 2009 led by the West Visayas State University (WVSU), partner member agency in charge of FITS Oton.

DARAG COOKFEST

(Clockwise from top left) The award-winning embutidong darag on showcase; Lambuyao housewife Tita Turija answers questions of the judges; former bank employee Rene Singson promotes the recipe to the judges; and Ms Herminigilda Tupas exchanges information with a contestant at the darag native chicken cookfest.

Contest judges were darag and cooking experts, all from the West Visayas State University (WVSU), namely: Dr. Greta Gabinete, director of the University Extension and Development Center (UEDC); Mr. Ray Arenga, science aide; and Ms. Herminigilda Tupas, coordinator of the Lifelong Learning for Self-Sufficiency Training Program.

Mr. Ray Arenga said that the darag dishes were original, because for one, ducks, and not darag are usually the material for estofado. While both processes were considered unique by the judges and have potential for marketability, Arenga added that any processing ideas that can be done in darag native chickens are most welcome.

Meanwhile, Ms. Tupas expressed concern on the specifics of the winning innovations, citing the improvements needed in the processing of darag native chickens. Tupas suggested that they be carefully studied for official processing, and further recommended a more formal training on darag native chicken processing.

According to Dr. Gabinete, the darag contest served as a follow-through intervention to measure their appreciation of the trainings they were given in the previous years. Gabinete also said there is also the need to train further the participants on processing darag so [we] could expect for more innovations and ideas that can be done with darag native chicken.

Oton Field Day was held as part of the Katagman Festival, an annual festival in Oton— this year held on April 28 to May 3, 2010. Supported by the local government of Oton represented by Municipal Councilor Pablo Guevarra, vice-chair on committee on agriculture; WVSU; and the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) and FITS Batad Manager Eva Montero, the Field Day also hosted a lecture on horticulture featuring Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) Baltazar Gumana of FITS Pavia.

MS Gumana shared his expertise on horticulture and cut foliage to some 15 members of Oton Cutflower Association, Inc. (OCAI). Gumana also served as judge in the booth contest in the Garden Show joined by OCAI members.

THAT'S WHAT PLANTS ARE FOR

(Clockwise from bottom left) Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) Baltazar Gumana of FITS Pavia generously shares his knowledge on horticulture; FITS Oton Field Day participants and stakeholders; sample cut foliage on exhibit; a Katagman fest streamer lists activities for plants and cutflower raisers.