MS Peñalosa’s Field Day showcases improved swine production

By Jethro Dagunan

Representative, Regional Applied Communications Group

Carlos Hilado Memorial State College

MS Peñalosa briefs beneficiaries on his technologies
in his own farm in Victorias City.

 “I am not just a farmer; I am an agri-preneur,” quipped Ramon Peñalosa, Jr., Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) during his Field Day on Improved Housing and Swine Fattening held on January 25, 2012 in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

Peñalosa’s Field Day showcased his success on improved housing for swine fattening and the successful transfer of said technology to 22 farmer beneficiaries in his locality. Just a small area situated within the city, Peñalosa’s farm showcases improved organic farming practices, which are profitable and environment-friendly.

Featuring the graduation rites of the beneficiaries, the Field Day was witnessed by barangay and city officials including Councilor Melvin Ybañez of Victorias City, Escalante FITS Center Manager Ferdinand Alico and farmers’ groups from Manapla, Negros Occidental, among others. The showcase was also witnessed by interested non-government organizations and private individuals.

RTTP Coordinator
Reynaldo Dusaran of CPU

Representing WESVARRDEC Director Joseph Idemne, Dr. Reynaldo Dusaran, Regional Techno Transfer and Promotion (RTTP) Coordinator, echoed MS Peñalosa’s slogan, “There is no unproductive farm; only unproductive farmer,” which encourages farmers to practice and thereby benefit from the effectiveness of the farmer scientist’s agricultural practices.

In response, a farmer beneficiary said that they appreciate Peñalosa’s innovations because aside from the absence of antibiotics and growth hormones, Peñalosa’s swine also has unique meat quality and less fat. This is so because as part of Peñalosa’s improved housing for swine, the pig pens are designed particularly so that swine manure is systematically converted to vermicast. Considered an excellent organic fertilizer, vermi manure allows for improved swine production and additional profit.

And under the Science and Technology-Based Farm (STBF) granted by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), Peñalosa uses the probiotics, a series of technologies which promotes organic swine fattening. These practices are consistent with the Organic Negros campaign of the province.

According to another beneficiary, MS Peñalosa did not only inspire the farmers to replicate his technology; his detailed lectures on his technology also prove that they are doable and profitable.

MS Ramon Peñalosa's probiotic swine

Among others, MS Peñalosa stressed the sustainability of a farming venture can be brought about by the farmer’s entrepreneurial spirit. For Peñalosa, a farmer must possess agripreneurial spirit—he while is passionate in his farming, he must also have an enterprising attitude to maximize the opportunities in his farm. Put simply, Peñalosa said that he must make real money from his hard work, just like the farmer scientist himself.

Aside from the certificate of completion, the farmer beneficiaries were given piglets and were taken to sign the Marketing Agreement with MS Peñalosa. Under the arrangement, farmer beneficiaries will also be provided feeds, probiotics, Natural Food Supplement (NFS) and others input to help them start becoming agripreneurs. Farmers will pay back through selling their produce to MS Peñalosa. For their part, the barangay and other local officials were requested to help monitor the progress of the said beneficiaries.

Facilitators and participants during the Field Day of MS Ramon Peñalosa, Jr.

Activities become accomplishments

CapSU Techno Gabay team hosts yearend meeting

By Niño Manaog
University Extension Associate
Capiz State University

To monitor and update its member Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) centers on its accomplishments, the Capiz State University (CapSU) Techno Gabay (TG) Team led by Mr. Eduardo Navarra, university extension specialist, hosted the Fourth Quarter Meeting on November 29, 2011 at the Asis Food Court in Banica, Roxas City.

Among other agenda, the meeting featured the success story of Dumalag FITS Center which was named Best FITS Center by WESVARRDEC during its first Regional Techno Gabay Summit and Technomart in May this year in Iloilo City.

Managers and representatives of FITS centers also reported and updated CapSU, the partner member agency, on their activities and accomplishments. In the past year, the six FITS Centers represented engaged in a big number of activities to benefit their target clientele.

President Roxas, Capiz farmers learn how to make use
of the A-frame to locate their contour lines.
CapSU and President Roxas FITS Center personnel
led the group of farmers on SALT and also provided techniques
that determine its importance to prevent soil erosion
in the upland farms.

Before the end of the year, the President Roxas FITS Center led by Mr. Leonardo Barcenas will lead the distribution of fish fingerlings and corn seeds to farmers, among other so many activities. Recently it led the Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) training to upland farmers. In the same period, the Panay FITS Center led by Mr. Juanito Hecita, Jr. will undertake livestock distribution to farmers and participate in the Product Exhibit for the Sinadya sa Halaran Festival 2011.

Mr. Audie Belargo, manager of OPA Capiz FITS Center said that his office has compiled agriculture-related articles from national newspapers and publications which will soon be ready for access next year. Belargo reported that the OPA Capiz FITS Center has also helped high school students in the province in the plant identification for their Science Researches. Belargo likewise said that a library system in the FITS Center itself is in the works, which will feature an agri-fisheries database or directory, among others.

Ms. Remedios Llamelo, manager of Jamindan FITS Center, reported that Jamindan has also been busy the whole year with its regular activities for the farmers. Among others, Jamindan FITS Center conducted Palaycheck capability building trainings to barangays Pangabuan, Pasal-o, Lucero and Aglibacao. It also led Location-Specific Technology Development (LSTD) on lowland rice varieties.

Through the FITS Center facilities, they were also able to facilitate the assistance of farmers in the purchase of their abaca courms in coordination with FIDA. Llamelo’s office also helped distribute some 60,000 seeds of crops and vegetables for farmers representing 30 barangays.

According to Mr. Bernie Protacio, information services specialist of the Dumalag FITS Center, they have graduated some 50 farmers from the Farmers Field School (FFS) in partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). Also, activities to sustain the engineered bamboo initiatives for Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) Randy Fancubila and his cooperative are also periodically held in linkage with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Capiz.

Mr. Ramon Penalosa, Jr., farmer scientist
of WESVARRDEC, shares his key
technologies to the farmers of Dao, Capiz.
The efforts to bring his expertise
to this part of the province was led by
Dao FITS Manager Susan Dordas (behind Penalosa),
a staunch advocate of organic farming.

Susan Dordas, manager of Dao FITS Center, made a comprehensive report on the town’s Organic Agriculture Program widely bannered and supported by the local government of Dao, Capiz. Dordas reported that within the year, the municipality successfully passed an ordinance advocating organic agriculture for the locality.

The program has also set in place government priorities leading to the promotion and enhancement of organic farming practices, starting with the use of indigenous microorganisms (IMOs) being produced by its technology services specialist and a number of farmers. Dao has also requested and was recently granted by the Department of Agriculture equipment and infrastructure needed to sustain the said program.In the September Farmers Congress, Dao featured the technologies of MS Ramon Penalosa, Jr. of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC).

In the same meeting, CapSU Chief Accountant Oliva Bataan led the member FITS Centers in learning the nitty-gritty of making budget and financial reports. According to Bataan, budgeting is crucial especially when officials are spending the government funds.

Bataan taught the participants on how to best maximize and realize the budget given to them by Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) or any other funding institutions.

CapSU Techno Gabay Team Leader Eduardo Navarra
(seated, center, in white shirt) regularly coordinates
with the personnel of Dumalag FITS Center
led by Manager Ronelyn De Tomas (seated, far left)
in its activities and projects. The partnership has
afforded a number of major achievements,
including Dumalag's Best FITS Center award
conferred by WESVARRDEC in May 2011.

Meanwhile, Dr. Cora Navarra, outgoing Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG) coordinator for the WESVARRDEC, briefed the participants on how the FITS Centers can maximize the opportunity with the consortium. Navarra encouraged them to promote and publicize their activities as they can help promote technologies in multifarious ways—using various media available nowadays including the print media and the internet.

According to Navarra, advocating the technologies in their respective localities this way helps promote and advance not only the indigenous technologies of the municipalities but also the thrusts and purposes of WESVARRDEC and PCAARRD.

Making Strips, Weaving Lives

Hard Work and Success according to MS Nonito Ignacio, Bariw Producer

By Sally R. Villasis

Representative

Regional Applied Communications Group

Aklan State University

Bariw has made life a challenge for Nonito Ignacio, Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of Nabas FITS Center in Aklan.

In 1992, this native of barangay Nagustan, Nabas, Aklan was only 20 years old when he started producing bariw. Then, Aklan was producing and processing bariw into novelty products and items for tourists and even for export.

At the time, MS Ignacio was amazed because Aklan was gaining worldwide attention for its craftsmanship in bariw. This encouraged him to plant and produce bariw fiber in his own capacity. From that time on, bariw has always been a lucrative means of livelihood for MS Ignacio.

Now a supplier of fiber for the bariw processors for almost 20 years, MS Ignacio has always made sure that his marketing strategies are in place. His bariw fiber stocks are available at their home to meet the demands of the processors in his area.

Enthusiastic and personable, MS Ignacio was chosen MS by the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) for the Nabas FITS Center in Nabas, Aklan through the coordination of Aklan State University (ASU), its partner member agency.

Planting and Growing Bariw

MS Ignacio starts bariw production with clearing the area needed for planting the palms. From the forest, he collects bariw seedlings with 5 to 10 leaves each. For each hill, he digs a hole 6 inches deep and allows 3-meter distance between the hills. Next, he clears and fences the surrounding area of each hill to protect them from stray animals. He then proceeds with mulching using cut grasses.

Harvesting Bariw

MS Ignacio harvests leaves from bariw plants aged 2 ½ to 3 years. In harvesting bariw leaves, known as pagsasa(Aklanon or Akeanon term), he begins by cleaning the bariw palms. He cuts from the bariw trunks only the long and mature leaves. To cut the leaves far from reach, MS Ignacio either climbs the palms or uses a scythe fixed at the end of a bamboo or wooden pole to reach them. Then he gathers the cut leaves, and collects 32 pieces to form one bundle. A sleeping mat, for one, can be made from 7 bundles with 32 bariw leaves each.

Stripping

MS Ignacio then proceeds to pagriras, or the removal of thorns and midribs. He removes both the thorns at the edge of leaves and separates the midrib or the hard portion of the leaf. One bundle cut into halves will therefore produce 64 pieces. By this time, the bariw leaves are now ready for hanging and drying.

Drying

MS Ignacio is now ready for paglamayo ag pagbuead, or drying the leaves, which involves two steps. First, he dries the leaves for three days by hanging them outdoor making sure they are not directly exposed to sunlight. This allows for the gradual removal of moisture from the leaves. Second, he dries the leaves to dry under the sun for a day or two, after thorns are removed from them. If thorns are not removed, bariw leaves will be crumpled which makes the production (smoothening and softening included) of a pale fiber material difficult.

Smoothening and Softening

After which, MS Ignacio proceeds to pagbaebae, or softening the leaves. Dried bariw leaves are normally rigid and would thus need to be smooth and soft so they can be woven. To produce smooth texture, he starts pressing(pagpaepag), using a club (bowling pin-shaped wood) or a solid flat stone or wood. He lays the dried leaves on the stone or wood and pounds them by a wooden club. When they are softened, he presses using his bare fingers and palms (known as paghilad) one leaf at a time to flatten them, doing this repeatedly until he attains the desired softness.

MS Ignacio says that it is best for “two persons to soften the leaves, it produces a peculiar rhythm, just like the beat of the drum.” The working partners usually proceed with paghilad four times, after which the bariw fiber is then stored for 3 months. Only by then will the fiber is ready for processing.

In an ordinary day, MS Ignacio makes a maximum of 200 bundles of bariw at P4 per roll, which earns him P800. His thrice a week production (12 times for four weeks) gives him P9,600. For the transport of bariw from the farm to his house where it is sold (approx. 2 km), he incurs P400 monthly (8 liters of gas at P50 per liter), which gives him a net income of P9,200.

MS Ignacio hopes to become a leading bariw producer in Aklan. “I hope Aklan becomes a major producer of quality bariw products. We have a great province. We should be proud of it,” he says.

The nitty-gritty of bariw production, however, is not the only trade for MS Ignacio. When he is not into bariw production, the hardworking farmer attends to his two hectares of land planted to rice and vegetables and where he also raises pigs and chickens. He also sidelines through the operation of a sari-sari store and coco lumber hauling in their barangay.

With all these skills, capacities and activities, MS Ignacio proves to be a hardworking farmer, who has been pounding his way to reach his goals for his wife and children. Today, working well and hard on a 3-hectare bariw farm, he enjoys the success that others can only dream of.

Though he has undergone many hardships and difficulties, MS Ignacio expresses optimism, saying “If we don’t look at things in a positive way, it will be extremely difficult for us to survive in any business, and in life.”

Escalante City farmers urged to raise cantaloupe melons for profit

By Isaac Abello

Staff

“Pagpalambo sa yuta; pagkaon sa katawhan; mao’y una sa tanan (Improve the soil and provide food for the people, above all else).”

This was the theme of the Science and Technology-based Farm (STBF) Field Day led by the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in Escalante City on Oct. 4, 2011 in Escalante City, Negros Occidental.

Gathering some 80 participants composed of farmers groups, line agencies and other sectors, the farmers’ day showcased the results of the technologies involved in offseason cantaloupe melon farming.

Dr. Denesa Lamique, Techno Gabay Team leader from the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC), the FITS’ partner member agency, briefed the guests on the STBF project, which is funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) and channeled through the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC).

The event was backed by FITS Manager Ferdinand Alico and his staff and the local government of Escalante City.

As per the STBF project, some 15 Escalante City farmers were trained on off-season cantaloupe melon farming from June to September 2011. No less than Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) Jose Vicente Alemany of Escalante City FITS Center provided the technical inputs for the farmers.

During the program, MS Alemany shared his best practices through what he calls the 3 Ps, namely—Practice, Productivity and Profit. For Alemany, good farming practices result in good productivity which rakes in high profit. Alemany also shared the advantages of off-season farming.

According to the farmer scientist, because the supply of cantaloupe during rainy season is low, farmers can demand a higher price. This way, cantaloupe farming can also serve an alternative faming product for the farmers of Escalante. Alemany urged the farmers that they closely monitor prices in the market so they could anticipate the competition involved in marketing their produce.

Leon FITS Center hosts WVSU TG cross-visitors

By Van Kristine Mendoza

Representative

Regional Applied Communications Group

West Visayas State University

The Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in Leon, Iloilo recently hosted some 25 representatives of the Techno Gabay (TG) Team from the West Visayas State University (WVSU) at the Leon FITS Center Hall in Poblacion, Leon, Iloilo. The visiting team consisted of managers and staff of WVSU’s member FITS Centers, their Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) and representatives from the WVSU, their partner member agency.

“We may be a new FITS Center but we are working hard to build our image,” Municipal Agriculturist Magdalena Capilastique said in her speech.

For his part, Leon Mayor Rolito Cajilig said that the changing climate and the environmental crises pose threats to the farmers, the town’s major sector. According to Cajilig, Leon is an agricultural highland. Only ten percent of its 14,000 hectares is flat. Farming is Leon’s primary livelihood. Of the 85 barangays, 68 are prone to floods, landslide and calamities. “We have no choice but fight poverty,” Cajilig said. Because the town draws income from farming, Mayor Rolito Cajilig supports efforts related to it.

The local government of Leon has also been promoting Bucari, a forested area 24 kilometers from the poblacion which can serve as an eco- or agri-tourism site. Leon has also been marketing organic vegetables and its “super mangoes.” According Leon FITS Center Manager Feljean Cagape, their produce are called super mangoes because they are much sweeter than any mangoes in Panay.

Leon mangoes are found to have higher fructose content than the Guimaras mangoes. Their sweet taste is attributed to the town’s soil condition and topography. Cagape said that Leon’s soil salinity is much lower than that of Guimaras.

As part of the One Town, One Product (OTOP) program of Leon, mangoes are promoted by local government in their own community. Couples asking to be married by the mayor are asked to bring a mango seedling to the ceremony. All coupled wed by the local government are required to plant the mangoes and cultivate them in their households.

At the end of the welcome program, the cross-visitors were hosted to a vegetable greenhouse located in the municipality.

A DAY IN THE FARM (see above photo). The WVSU Techno Gabay team visits a vegetable farm in their first Cross-Visit to the Leon FITS Center in Leon, Iloilo. As part of the WESVARRDEC culture, study tours such as this serve not only as avenues for information and knowledge sharing but also monitoring mechanism for the consortium.

Dao FITS Center, LGU celebrate farmers’ bountiful harvest

By Niño Manaog

University Extension Associate

Capiz State University

On September 16, 2011, all roads lead to the municipality of Dao, Capiz for its first ever Farmers’ Day Celebration and Agri-Trade Fair.

The celebration of the farmers’ bountiful harvest was led by Dao’s government particularly its Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center in partnership with the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Under the proactive leadership of Dao Mayor Joselito Escutin, and through the dynamic efforts of the Dao FITS Center led by Manager Ma. Susan Dordas in coordination with WESVARRDEC, the farmers’ event showcased the best agricultural practices of the municipality.

Anchored on the theme “Likasaka para sa Aning Masagana,” the first farmer day celebration showcased the best agricultural yields of the town of Dao, and featured no less than Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) Ramon Peñalosa, Jr. of Negros Occidental for its resource person. Peñalosa graced the occasion by sharing with the Dao farmers and constituents his expertise and experiences in organic rice farming and livestock-raising.

And to showcase the best yield of the province, Dao FITS Center led the selection of best gardens under the Food Always in the Home (FAITH) program across the municipality. Promoting food sustainability in the households, FAITH program encourages barangay households to plant and sustain a wide array of vegetables and crops that will make them self-reliant.

For the community gardens category, barangay Centro placed first, followed by Lacaron and Poblacion Ilawod. For the schools category, Malonoy Elementary School won first place; Quinayuya Elementary, second and Dao Central Elementary, third. For the barangay health station (BHS) category, Matagnop won first; Malonoy, second; and Agtambi, third. For the day care centers category, Lacaron Day Care Center won first; followed by Bita Day Care Center and Matagnop Day Care Center.

Farmer Tomas Estorninos of Matagnop topped the household category, followed by Arnel Faraon of Bita and Rosa Clorion of Ilas Norte. Estorninos maintained 33 types of vegetables crops and medicinal plants. Estornino also raised goats and native chickens in his 400-sq.m.area.

According to Dordas, FAITH gardens have been in existence since the Green Revolution in the 1980s. The town of Dao likewise chose the best harvest crops from the farmers—longest beans, eggplant and white squash and biggest kalabasa and Saba and Cavendish bananas. Winners in these contests were awarded trophies, cash price and garden tools.

According to Deogracias Tianchon, Jr., Dao’s top municipal councilor, the town has recently passed Municipal Ordinance 011-005, series of 2011, or the “Ordinance Providing for the Adoption of the R.A. 10068 otherwise known as the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 in the Municipality of Dao, Capiz.” The first among the towns of the province to adopt R.A. 10068 launched by DA, Dao is optimistic for its production of crops and vegetables by fortifying its organic practices campaign.

Ms. Joyce Wendam, regional technical director of the Department of Agriculture (DA), expressed support for Dao’s initiative citing the challenge and importance of sustainable agriculture in the countryside. For his part, Mayor Escutin said that the bottom line of these and other projects is food sustainability in the community. The festival was also attended by local officials of Dao and the province of Capiz.

CapSU, Capiz FITS centers’ products showcased in WESVARRDEC’s TG summit

By Niño S. Manaog

University Extension Associate

Capiz State University

In the 2011 Regional Techno Gabay (TG) Summit led by the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) held on May 25–26, 2011 at the Amigo Plaza Mall in Iloilo City, the Capiz State University (CapSU) research and extension services were featured, along with the products of its Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) and Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) centers.

Led by TG Team Leader Eduardo Navarra, the CapSU booth featured the engineered bamboo of MS Randy Fancubila of FITS Dumalag. MS Fancubila showcased bamboo table, trophies and sample bamboo planks, much to the curiosity and delight of walk-in visitors.

Navarra’s team also brought the abaca ropes and woven materials from FITS Jamindan and abaca plant sampled from the farm of MS Igmedio Llamelo.

CapSU featured the novelty products and accessories made from coconut shells of FITS Ivisan, the vermicast bags from FITS Panay, indigenous micro-organism (IMO) used as foliar fertilizers from FITS Dao, and fisheries brochures prepared by FITS OPA Capiz.

FITS Ivisan’s coco shell products are manufactured by prospective MS Roosevelt Villarde of the town, while the production of FITS Dao’s IMO foliar fertilizers is led by their Technology Services Specialist (TSS) Genes Estialbo.

CapSU brought the products of the FITS Centers to open opportunities for processors and producers and usher their products into wider and bigger markets.Guided by the events theme, “Science and Technology in Every Product

According to TG TL Navarra, the partner member agency and this type of activities is the best link of the said products to potential markets and buyers. CapSU’s initiative is hinged on the consortium’s Technomart modality which aims to bring the commodities and technologies to the general public.

In the two-day exposure of the CapSU FITS’ products, “we expect that Ivisan’s coco shells find bigger buyers, and Dumalag’s engineered bamboo locate potential market niches to which it can supply,” Navarra said.

The effort was supported by FITS centers led by their respective managers, namely: Ronelyn De Tomas of Dumalag, Susan Dordas of Dao, Remedios Llamelo of Jamindan, Audie Belargo of OPA Capiz, Letecia Andrada of Ivisan, Jun Hiceta of Panay and Leonardo Barcenas of President Roxas.

Organic certification featured at WESVARRDEC techno summit

By Vishia Mae Tolcidas

Representative
Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG)

FITS OPA Negros Occidental

When consumers buy products that are certified organic, they get more value for their money and are protected against fake organic products.

This is according to Organic Guarantee Officer Robert Gasparillo of the Negros Island Organic Certification Services (NICERT) during the first Regional Techno Gabay Summit and TechnoMart at the Amigo Plaza Hall in Iloilo City recently.

The Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC), techno summit's convener, deemed organic product certification important to its members because it serves as tool in the commercialization of science-and-technology-based products.

SWEET FOR MY SWEET, SUGAR FOR MY HONEY

According to WESVARRDEC Director Joseph Edward Idemne, the consortium will push for the certification of Antique’s muscovado sugar this year. Photo shows Hamungaya muscovado represented here by Ms. Joyce Pachoco during the WESVARRDEC TG Summit.

The WESVARRDEC summit was attended by Magsasaka Siyentista (farmer scientists), members of colleges and universities, and representatives of the Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Centers in Western Visayas.

According to Gasparillo, producers likewise benefit from organic certification because they could already sell their products at premium prices in both local and international markets. Certified-organic products enjoy brisk sales in Metro Manila, Europe, Canada, Japan and the US because they are healthy and chemical-free.

Gasparillo said small farmers like the muscovado producers of Antique are a priority of NICERT. “They could avail themselves of funds under the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 which provides for 900 million pesos for the first two years of implementation,” he said.

Organic certification covers the whole production process based on documents and field visits, and is cost-efficient because it is partly subsidized by the Negros Occidental Provincial Government.

Like WESVARRDEC and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCARRD-DOST), NICERT assists clients in the technology transfer and promotion of their certified products.

Established in 2007, NICERT has already certified the products of 20 individuals, smallholder groups and firms from Negros, Iloilo and Cebu. These products include fertilizers, vegetables, herbs, root crops, fruits, grains, coffee, sugarcane, meat and poultry, aquaculture, and processed foods.

An independent, third-party organic certification body that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and member of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), NICERT is an offshoot of sustainable agriculture and rural development initiatives geared towards making Negros Island the Organic Food Bowl of Asia.

TSKI shares product dev’t expertise at WESVARRDEC summit

By Isaac Abello

Staff

In the first Regional Techno Gabay Summit led by the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) recently in Iloilo City, Engr. Reynaldo T. Ambao, director of micro enterprise development program of Taytay sa Kauswagan, Inc. (TSKI), shared the expertise of their organization, along with various speakers coming from different organizations and agencies.

With years of experience in enterprise building and product development particularly with micro, small & medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the region, Ambao lectured on product development, which involves a number of components, namely: market research, product design, product test and product launch.

Ambao showed the audience samples of packaging materials to the participants such as polypropylene and polyethylene bags, stand-up pouches and vacuum bags.

According to Ambao, MSMEs should document their product development process in order for them to know the proper details of their product and make it as a product manual.

Ambao likewise promoted the services offered by TSKI including loans for MSMEs and business development services such as product development, technological trainings, advisory and business consultancy. TSKI also assists MSMEs on matters related to marketing, trade fairs, market matching and showrooms.

GOOD THINGS COME IN GOOD PACKAGES

Promoting the primacy of packaging in the basic marketing of products, Engr. Ambao of TSKI shows the WESVARRDEC audience a sample of their packaging material.

Be organic agripreneurs, Western Visayas farmers urged

By Vishia Mae Tolcidas

Representative, FITS OPA Negros Occidental

Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG)

WESVARRDEC

Be agri-preneurs; there’s money in organic farming”—such was the encouragement of established agri-preneur and organic farming practitioner Ramon Dayrit Peñalosa, Jr. in the forum titled Business Opportunities in Organic Farming during the first Regional Techno Gabay Summit and TechnoMart held on May 25–26, 2011 at Amigo Plaza Mall in Iloilo City.

MR ORGANIC
MS Ramon Peñalosa keeps his fingers crossed
for the future of organic agriculture the province.
For the farmer scientist, after having started
to convert 10% of its agricultural lands to organic,
Negros Occidental is on its way to being the top producer
of organic products in the country—
and eventually, the Organic Bowl of Asia.

The Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of the Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in the province of Negros Occidental, Peñalosa urged fellow farmers to consider farming as a business venture.

According to MS Ramon Peñalosa, “as farmers, we should be entrepreneurs. Farmers should be the one to create the demand, and satisfy it.” Peñalosa said natural farming is a global irreversible concern in all fields of business because it has grown to more than USD80 billion annually from only USD20 billion five years ago.

MS Peñalosa believes that while people react against synthetics for health and environmental reasons, going natural is the wave of the future. The farmer scientist expressed optimism, saying, “Mother Nature and Father Business can rock-and-roll in a natural, sustainable, and replicable way.”

Sponsored by the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC), the summit gathered some 300 participants composed of farmer scientists, agricultural extension workers and technology and marketing experts.

One of the components of Pinoy S&T (Science and Technology) Services, a banner program of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCARRD-DOST), TechnoMart brings S&T-based products from the farm to the market, farm to the kitchen, and farm to the table.