CapSU Dayao leads mangrove reforestation drive in Talon, Roxas City

By Joselito Sitjar

Extension Chairperson

CapSU Dayao

In support of its ongoing Mangrove Reforestation Project launched in September last year, the Capiz State University (CapSU) Dayao Campus through its Fishery department led the mangrove trees planting in barangay Talon, Roxas City recently.

TROPANG KATUNGGAN

Fishery majors of Capiz State University Dayao Campus

take part in this reforestation drive, which also

inspires others to do something for Mother Nature.

The CapSU Dayao team led by Prof. Domingo Allanic, Prof. Joselito Sitjar, Prof. Pascasio Reyes and Prof. Eddie Tupaz spearheaded the planting of mangrove trees along the shoreline of the said barangay. Some 20 Talon barangay officials and barangay folk and the Fishery students representing all levels of CapSU Dayao took part in the initiative.

According to Mr. Domingo Allanic, mangrove reforestation coordinator of CapSU Dayao, the initiative has been launched to create awareness and promote environmental protection of the people of barangay Talon, its neighboring community. The mangrove seedlings used for the reforestation drive were propagated at the mangrove nursery of CapSU Dayao.

Allanic said that all these steps to continued mangrove reforestation of the Talon shoreline are sought to help create or restore the fish’s natural habitat in the area, which could later help establish it as an eco-tourism site.

For her part, Dr. Lucy Beluso, CapSU Dayao campus administrator, said this and other similar initiatives virtually form part of the campus’s flagship advocacy to reach out to the fishing communities to help improve the livelihood of its constituents.

A participant takes the first step in reforesting the mangrove area in barangay Talon.

The Regional One-Stop-Information Shop (OSIS)

Conceptualized in 2008 and approved by PCARRD in 2009, the WESVARRDEC's Regional One-Stop-Information Shop (OSIS) features a big number of FITS and MS products for showcase and promotion.

Among others, WESVARRDEC OSIS promotes the coco coir and coco fiber products of FITS Tubungan ordered through its partner member agency, the West Visayas State University; cut flower foliage and ornamental plants of MS Baltazar Gumana of FITS Pavia; bamboo products sourced from FITS Maasin; nito novelty items of FITS Ibajay; raffia frames and novelty items of MS Amelia Rentillo of FITS Banga, Aklan; banana produce of MS Ramon Gonzales of FITS Bingawan; MS Andrade’s herbal capsules; and the resinated products and items from FITS Moises Padilla.

More important, OSIS banners the technologies promotion of the Probiotic Swine Culture of MS Peñalosa and the Mango Processing of MS Tubongbanua in video formats.

Come and visit WESVARRDEC Office, UP Visayas, General Luna St., Iloilo City.

For inquiries, contact Suzette Peñaredondo at (033) 335-0630.

The Magsasaka Siyentista of WESVARRDEC

DOERS, INNOVATORS, ENTREPRENEURS

WESVARRDEC takes pride in the great contributions of these wonderful men and women whose expertise, initiatives and generosity in sharing what they know, collectively make a difference in the livelihood of the people in the region. They are the outstanding farmer scientists or Magsasaka Siyentista (MS)

of Western Visayas.

May their tribe increase!

DA 6 shares R.A. 10068 to Dao, Capiz

By Niño S. Manaog

University Extension Associate

Capiz State University

During the Seminar on Mitigating Climate Change Impact in Agriculture Through Organic and Natural Farming Technology held in Lolet’s Eco Park in barangay Duyoc, Dao, Capiz on March 16, 2011, Dr. Hector Peñaranda, officer-in-charge of the Specials Concerns and Institutional Development Unit of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6, zoomed in on practices which the farmers can adopt to fully participate in the advocacy campaign for climate change.

Among other measures, local farmers can implement changes in cropping pattern; adoption of appropriate technology; establishment of adjustment crops; alternative livelihood; buffer stocking which provides for the farming resiliency in dire times; and organic farming.

Peñaranda also discussed the nitty-gritty of the effects of agro-climatic in-disease. Peñaranda cited the gross emission of greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide, methane and carbon dioxide most probably produced by agricultural sector worldwide. “We can only limit, mitigate but not stop [the adverse effects of] climate change,” Peñaranda said.

DA’s Peñaranda covered discussions of the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, otherwise known as Republic Act 10068, citing that there is an urgent need to campaign, promote, and practice organic farming practices by institutionalizing it through the government agencies concerned.

According to Peñaranda (right photo), DA Region 6 recently partnered with three NGOs—two in Negros Occidental, one in Iloilo—jointly pursuing organic agriculture campaigns and advocacies. Such partnerships will allow for more participation and implementation of organic agriculture advocacy and development plans.

Five municipalities in Capiz applied for organic agriculture programs seeking grants for implementation. Penaranda urged the Capiz constituents to work toward realizing it.

Peñaranda presented the hierarchy and the mechanisms involved in the regional implementation of the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010. As per the said law, DepEd is also urged to have Organic Agriculture embedded across the learning curricula.

In the same initiative attended by some 80 participants representing many sectors in Dao, Capiz, FITS Dao Manager Susan Dordas also lectured on the global climatic events brought about by climate change, citing likewise the causes, effects and impact of the said phenomenon on agriculture industry.

Negros Occidental’s biggest crops cited in 2011 Panaad Festival

By Vishia Mae Dominic J. Tolcidas

RAC Representative

fits opa Negros Occidental

In this year’s Panaad Festival held April 4-9 anchored on the theme “Patubas sang Negrosanon, Manggad sang Nasyon,” the winning local government units with the ‘pinaka’ (Hiligaynon prefix meaning most, greatest and) in weight, length and size of agricultural crops and fisheries products were awarded in the Pasidungog sa Mangunguma kag Mangingisda sa Panaad April 9, 2011 at the Panaad Stadium in Panaad Park, Alijis, Bacolod City.

Sipalay City bagged two awards for the heaviest papaya that weighed 10.5 kilograms owned by farmer Gemma Lavilla of Barangay Cabadiangan, and the heaviest watermelon (11.2 kg) of Virgelio Trimanyes of barangay San Jose.

Himamaylan City won for the heaviest jackfruit (36.3 kg), a product of Remedios Pelobello of barangay Nabalian and the longest pole sitao (86.5 centimeters) by Vicente Domingo of Barangay 3.

Escalante City won for the heaviest ampalaya (0.85 kg) by Remedio Abnao and the heaviest tomato (0.15 kg) produced by Manuel Amante of Hacienda Fe.

For banana, the heaviest saba (54.9 kg) was the product of Edelido Calanza of Poblacion I, Sagay City and the heaviest lacatan (25 kg) was the entry of Francisco Oplas of Ara-al, La Carlota City.

The heaviest eggplant (0.26 kg) was the entry of Marivic Pedoy of Codcod, San Carlos City while the heaviest squash weighing 10 kg was from Francisco Jiron of Barangay Calapi in Hinigaran.

The heaviest and biggest camote (4.4 kg) and ube (25.7 kg) were the entries of Winnie Sicayco of Caridad, Bago City and Arnold de la Peña of Riverside, Isabela, respectively.

For fishery products, EB Magalona won for the heaviest bangus (2.1 kg and 60 cm long), a product of David Albert Lacson, Sr. of barangayAlicante. La Castellana won the heaviest freshwater tilapia (1.1 kg, 41 cm) by Erlinda Alibo of Hacienda Taborda in Robles and Silay City’s heaviest brackish water tilapia (3.5 kg, 55 cm) was the product of Aurora Layson of barangay Lantad.

In the same fair which featured agriculture, aquaculture, poultry and livestock development, in line with the Food Security Program of the province led by Gov. Alfredo Marañon, Jr., farmers, fisherfolk and livestock raisers were awarded for their competence and excellence in producing food for the table.

PSF meets with WV PCARRD scholars

On May 28, 2009, PCARRD Executive Director Patricio S. Faylon, along with Crops Research Division (CRD) Director Jocelyn Eusebio, led the first regional meeting of Western Visayas-based PCARRD scholars at the College of Management in UP Visayas in Iloilo City.

Of the 70 registered PCARRD scholars in the region, who were given scholarship since 1970s, six scholars attended the meeting. They included Greta Gabinete of the West Visayas State University (WVSU); Rector Latoza and Salvacion Legaspi of Capiz State University (CapSU); Roman Sanares and Gerald Quinitio of University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas; and Lolita Quino of LGU Dumangas.

Among others, Faylon said that the scholars from the region can be tapped to pitch in as consultants, mentors and experts needed in trainings, seminars and other similar activities initiated by WESVARRDEC. According to Faylon, PCARRD spends 50% of its annual budget to invest in human resources.

Recognizing the need to beef up the research and development arm of its member consortiums, PCARRD's scholarship policies from this time onwards are said to be more accommodating. In particular, current scholarships for this year are awarded 15,000 pesos stipend for M.S. scholars and 20,000 pesos stipend for Ph.D. Scholars. Even contractual employees of organizations and university extension offices can apply for a scholarship.

Meanwhile, Dr. Eusebio said that more participation from scholars in the region is needed. For this purpose, a general assembly of scholars, for example, within the year can virtually start the ball rolling.

Rice husk stove, egg incubator wow Panaad visitors

By Vishia Mae Dominic J. Tolcidas
RACO Representative
FITS OPA Negros Occidental

A cooking stove powered by rice husks and an egg incubator were among the attractions at the 'Organik Na Negros' booth at the Panaad sa Negros Festival in Bacolod City, the Farmers Information and Technology Service and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Negros Occidental said in a press release.

TALK OF THE TOWN
Belonio's rice husk stove (foreground of right photo) is a bestseller in Panaad Festival, wowing enthusiasts from all over the region, perhaps because of its waste-into-fuel technology.

The top-lit, downdraft biomass stove could be used at home to reduce fuel cost amid the country's economic and energy crunch. Rice husks, usually free and available from farms and rice mills could be used as fuel.

Alexis Belonio, an agricultural engineer and professor at the Central Philippine University (CPU) in Iloilo City, engineered the low-cost stove that is considered clean, safe and environment-friendly because it does not emit harmful gases, the press release said.

Belonio's creation was recognized by the Rolex Awards last year, making him the first Filipino Laureate and one of its 10 exemplary innovators worldwide. The source also said that he used his $50,000 prize to build a stove demonstration and research center in Iloilo and has produced more than 30,000 stove units for distribution in Indonesia.

Morvyne Angay of Sagay City, a former farm administrator, said that he bought one unit of the stove so he could use it for cooking and cut down on fuel spending. A marketing coordinator of the Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Foundation, Angay said he wants to make good use of the husks dumped by the rice mill in his barangay and recycle the ash left after burning as organic fertilizer for crops.

According to Regional Applied Communications Office (RACO) Coordinator Cora Navarra, Belonio's stove, which costs P1,800, can use one kilo of rice husk for a single operation good for approximately three batches of cooking. The stove also comes with of a small fan that circulates air through the husks below an iron and steel tube more than one meter long. The tube traps the gases release, mostly hydrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide, and burns them at top of the tube.

Also featured at the Organik Booth was an egg incubator engineered by Margarito “Gary” Andrade.
Andrade, who hails from Banga, Aklan, first runner-up in the search for the country's outstanding Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) conducted by PCARRD in 2008.

Promoting the locally-produced and award-winning innovations of Belonio and Andrade is the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) based at the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas in Iloilo City.

HEAT ME UP
The incubator, which measures 30 inches in length, 18 inches in width, and 24 inches in height features accurate temperature with ventilation and relative humidity, easy adjustment of temperature, uniform distribution of heat even during brownout, AC/DC, and is easy to maintain.

WESVARRDEC joins national farmer scientists confab

WESVARRDESK
A team of farmer scientists and researchers from Western Visayas including (seated, from left) Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) Rebecca Tubongbanua, Consortium Director Joseph Edward O. Idemne, MS Margarito Andrade, MS Dennis Tababa, and MS Luel Divinagracia represented the Western Visayas Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) during the National MS Consultation Workshop led by PCARRD. The activity was held at the Splash Mountain Resort Hotel in Los Baños, Laguna on March 30 and 31. (Niño Manaog/RACO)

Photo by Butch S. Pagcaliwagan
PCARRD S&T Media Service

WESVARRDEC reviews potential farmer scientists

By Niño Manaog, RACO Staff
With Reports from Nicolas Banquero, RTGP Staff
Photos by RACO and RTGP

For WESVARRDEC, fresh and practical ideas in farming that could benefit the larger public are always a welcome change.

In a week-long marathon evaluation of future Magsasaka Siyentista (MS), the Regional Techno Gabay Program (RTGP) of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) led by RTGP Coordinator Ana Mae Relingo of the Aklan State University assessed the performance, production and overall potential of five MS nominees across the Panay region.

On March 17, 19 and 20, 2009, Relingo’s team evaluated the nominees for the Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) identified by the Farmers Information and Technological Services (FITS) Centers in Lemery, Batad, Bingawan, Igbaras, all of Iloilo province and Tobias Fornier in Antique. Backed by a number of experts on particular commodities, Relingo’s team nevertheless discovered potentially replicable technologies which are peculiar to each of the MS nominees.

First is the retired chemist Mr. Rolando Lamigo who practices organic farming in his production of corn and is now engaged in sustainable integrated farming in Batad, Iloilo. Though his production sometimes cannot meet the expected volume for his piece of land, Lamigo still keeps producing corn, hoping he would harvest more in the next cropping season. To date, he has been using artificial bacteria and other natural fertilizers to lessen the use of inorganic substances his corn production. “Through WESVARRDEC, particularly FITS Batad, supported by the local government, I hope to gain useful knowledge which I can share to other farmers who are given priority here in our town,” Lamigo said.

Second, there is Lemery’s Aniolino Matutino who adopted the indigenous knowledge of his grandmother to improve the laying performance of his Mallard ducks. One of these practices is feeding the fowls with lugaw (rice porridge) mixed with muscovado sugar. According to Matutino, this practice helps boost the egg production of the fowls. Another technology he developed is the utilization of empty plastic containers as artificial swamp for ducks during the dry and very hot seasons. Matutino drills a hole on empty containers big enough for ducks to fit their heads for drinking. Because ducks can refresh their bodies even during the hot months, they are protected from the sweltering heat. The technology is intended to help cool down ducks’ rising body temperature which usually causes them to be unproductive.

Next in line is Ramon Gonzales of Bingawan, Iloilo who takes pride in his tracts of land planted to Cardaba breed of banana. A proactive farm manager of some 10 hectares of banana plantation, Gonzales says that making the farmfolk understand profit making from agriculture poses a challenge to him as farmers sustain their deep-rooted beliefs in farming which do not necessarily help them make profits. Working with a number of enkargado, or land tenants, Gonzales encourages the farmers to help him produce the banana by employing a percentage scheme based on the plantation’s periodic harvests. His purpose is to make them realize that they should particularly profit from the fruits of their labor. Seeking to expand his banana production to 15 hectares, Gonzales keeps to sustain his free-range native chickens from which he draws manure as fertilizer for his plantation.

Meanwhile, the mango orchard of 40-year old Jose Maria Eclavia of Igbaras, Iloilo featured some century-old mango trees bearing the sweetest mango fruits being processed as dried mango through the newly acquired drying machine. The president of the Igbaras Mango Growers and Producers Association (IMGPA), Eclavia has undergone a string of trainings and exposures in mango production and processing. Currently, Eclavia leads a 25-member association involved in both producing and processing of their own mango yield. The association has been supplying demands of their townsfolk who are OFWs, and also helps provide livelihood jobs to a number of household in their locality.

According to MS Rebecca Tubongbanua of Guimaras, who led the mango evaluation team, some of their drying procedures have to be refined to make the products sweeter and more marketable. As attested by FITS Manager Jose Ebalan, the mango processing in Igbaras is still in its inception.

Finally, in Antique, Antonio Villodres of Tobias Fornier was noted for his interest in the nursery management of buri. A dynamic municipal engineer in their locality, Villodres expressed willingness to be trained further in the mass production of buri. Currently maintaining a buri nursery in his four-hectare upland plantation committed to diversified farming and livestock, Villodres relies on the equal share of carbonized rice hull (CRH) and vermi-compost for fertilizer. Previously he doled out a number of buri seedlings in their town. Villodres seeks to address the unavailability of buri seedlings in their town, aware that he can help provide additional employment to those who will benefit from the production.

Given such technologies and commitment up and coming, WESVARRDEC is more likely to benefit from a new wave of knowledge sharing which will surely aid the region’s development.

NEW HARVEST FROM WESTERN VISAYAS

WESVARRDEC's new lineup of Magsasaka Siyentista this year (MS) includes (clockwise from top) Ramon Gonzales of Bingawan, Iloilo (Banana); Jose Maria Eclavia of Igbaras, Iloilo (Processed Mango); Antonio Villodres of Tobias Fornier, Antique (Buri); Aniolino Matutino of Lemery, Iloilo (Mallard ducks); and Rolando Lamigo of Batad, Iloilo (Corn).