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.

WESVARRDEC 101

The Rationale, Mandate, and Implications on Development of the Regional R&D Consortium

By Geronimo L. Gregorio, Ph.D., Coordinator, Regional Research & Development Group (RRDG)

Working on the premise that in unity there is strength and that individualism breeds unwholesome competitions and wastage of resources, various GOs and NGOs involved in R&D programs and activities in the region have joined hands to work for a common goal.

As an answer to the long-observed inefficiency in R&D work, the above agencies and institutions more or less come to a covenant grounded on the belief that working together is the demand of the time.

Through the efforts and leadership of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (Pcarrd), the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) was born in Region VI a few years ago. Similar consortia in the rest of the regions of the country were also put into existence with a multi-pronged objective geared mainly to upgrade, reorient and accelerate regional R&D undertakings. Now these consortia are getting stable and seemed to find themselves really essential as conduits of regional development.

In the light of the sluggishly growing economy, low farm incomes and productivity which manifest poverty in the rural and urban areas, R&D activities must find their way to address these complex problems. New technologies and innovations must be generated and more effective strategies of technology transfer must be evolved to make breakthroughs in agricultural production and improve the life of poverty-stricken households. Unfortunately, however, R&D agencies and institutions working individually did not make much to hit these targets. They seemed to have ended up with a status quo for years.

The formation of the regional R&D consortia then was thought by its framers and advocates as a solution to fragmented and random development efforts. By mandate, these consortia seek to unify efforts and pool resources—technical, financial, technological and material—to secure greater efficiency and productivity in agriculture and industries. Thus, their activities can effectively be identified, prioritized, planned, implemented, monitored, evaluated and coordinated. Under the present setup, member agencies can more efficiently collaborate and cooperate with each other hereby providing an open access for resource sharing. This scheme would undoubtedly maximize the utilization of both human and material resources of these agencies. In essence, it provides ample opportunities to these agencies for maximum participation and greater achievements in R&D undertakings.

These regional R&D consortia offer bright prospects both for member agencies and the people of the region whom these agencies are working for. These agencies can increase their R&D activities and become more participative in development work which must be a part of their mandate. Likewise, the people in their respective service areas can hope for more tangible, meaningful and lasting accomplishments essential to bring about and sustain agro-industrial development and progress.

For one, WESVARRDEC is apparently commissioned to take the lead in initiating and accelerating socioeconomic activities and development in their area of concern. This means their presence must revolutionize agro-industrial productivity, rehabilitate and protect the environment and improve the socioeconomic status of the poor. All member agencies then are challenged to come up with these expectations or else the consortium to which they belong will have a meaningless existence.

Reference

Gregorio, Geronimo L. “Regional R&D Consortium: Its Rationale, Mandate, and Developmental Implications.” The PSPC Journal 6:2. Capiz, Philippines: Panay Polytechnic State College, 1992.

Altavas Puto Tostado

A Tradition of Good Taste

By Sally Villasis, RAC Representative, Aklan State University

and Jeffrey Gervacio, Information Services Specialist, FITS Altavas

Since 1914, the family of Evelyn Belarmino, Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of Altavas, Aklan, has been engaged in the production of puto tostado, a delicacy made from finely chosen quality rice that undergoes a fine technology or quality control all happening in a simple household.

“This business has been going on since four generations ago,” said Evelyn who has been managing it for 33 years. The production of the delicacy has grown to become the major cottage industry of the town.

So popular is the Altavas puto tostado that it is one of the major products promoted by the Local Government Unit. It is one of products displayed during agro-industrial expos and provincial, regional and national exhibits and fairs. It is also sold in a tourist center in Altavas which is visited by local and foreign tourists.

Puto Tostado is made from finely chosen quality rice grains that are soaked in water overnight. The following day, the soaked rice grains are drained and pounded into rice starch in a wooden mortar and pestle.

The rice starch is sifted in coarse sinamay (fiber from banana stalk) then with a finer one. Then it is evenly mixed with muscovado or refined brown sugar. The mixture is molded and placed upside down in a clay-pot steamer fully wrapped in cheese cloth.

After being steamed, the cooked mixture is toasted in an improvised can oven over charcoal. Once it is cooked, it is allowed to cool and stored in a tightly sealed plastic.

Puto tostado is an innovation of a regular rice cake that originally had a one-day shelf life. With the improvement, its shelf life has been extended to two months.

A single production costs P162.00, which turns out 17 packs with 50 pieces of puto tostado each. It is sold at P30.00 per pack that gives 68.23 % return on investment per production.

MS Belarmino confides that through the income from the business, they were able to send their five children to school, who are now professionals.

MS Belarmino said she learned much about the business at a young age, and said, "I would like my children to continue the tradition."