Farmers are the most vulnerable sectors of the Philippine economy especially during catastrophic events, economic fluctuations, exacerbated by changing weather patterns. It is in this challenge that that Productivity Enhancement Project (PEP) was anchored to help the corn farmers augment the needed input assistance. Hence, the Municipal Agriculture Office of Lagawe, Ifugao started the distribution of 900 sacks of seeds and 900 sacks of fertilizer to 575 farmers.
According Geraldine Dagadag, Agricultural Technician, she stated that the corn seeds and fertilizers aimed at helping the local farmers in Ifugao to enhance productivity and lessen the cost burden of the farmers in procuring inputs for their corn production.
Primarily, NK8840 VIP Hybrid Corn Seeds and the Complete Triple 14 inorganic fertilizer was given to farmers sourced from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-RFO-CAR).
Of the corn seeds and fertilizer distribution, a total of 575 farmers coming from the 13 Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in Ifugao and duly accredited by the DA were given the assistance. It is also noted that the farmers are required to own a minimum of half a hectare to ensure that there is an adequate space for corn production.
On the other hand, the DA will also award agricultural machinery equipment to the farmers such as 4-wheel drive tractors, combine harvesters, water pumps, and a Multi Crop Drying Pavement (MCDP), thereby increasing technology-based assisted farming.
The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) from Benguet State University (BSU) has also provided training programs to farmers especially for agricultural production practices, post-harvest handling, and management practices.
Wilbert Nabanalan, 24, a farmer from Abinuan, Lagawe expressed that, “Inmay ak ta dakkel daytoy nga tulong kinyak (I came here for the reason that this is a big help for me).”
“Inbaga ti munisipyo daytoy [nga project] isu nga inmay ak nag ala ti abono tapnu isu pay mangsupusop idyay panagmulak iti mais (The municipal office mentioned this program that is why I came here to receive the support as it helps in my corn production),” said Diego Halligao, 53, another farmer from Abinuan, Lagawe.
With this productivity enhancement project, farmers gain support from the agriculture department, helping their crops to increase and productive, ensuring operational efficiency and improve productivity among rural farmers.// Nehemiah D. Rivera
