Indigenous Peoples Organizations (IPOs) from the different parts of the Cordillera region enjoyed an educational tour inside the Baguio Animal Breeding and Research Center (BABRC) at Barangay Dontogan in Baguio City on July 13, 2022.
The tour was part of the two-day IPO Forum which was facilitated by the Department of Agriculture – Cordillera (DA-CAR) through the Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran para sa Kababayang Katutubo (4K) Program. The forum sought to empower the Program-assisted indigenous peoples (IPs) in the agriculture sector.
Before the tour, BABRC Chief and Supervising Science Research Specialist Robert Domoguen gave a brief lecture on how the BABRC has evolved as an outreach research station of the DA-CAR. Jimmy Gacawen, Science Research Assistant, also presented the objectives and services that is currently offered in the center. Gacawen further shared some farming and animal husbandry best practices of the center that are related into the raise and breed of animals suitable for highland production, conservation and preservation of native animals, and promotion of modern animal husbandry.
IPOs present were the Dumolpos-Ansipsip Ancestral Domain Indigenous Peoples Organization (DAADIPO), Mabongtot Mang-os-ossaan Ancestral Domain Indigenous Peoples Organization (MMADIPO), and Tipon ti Umili Para Iti Panangsalwad iti Naparswaan, Inc. (TIPON).
The participants visited the production areas specifically the Arabica coffee nursery, mushroom laboratory and cultivating room, citrus nursery, and herbarium. They also visited some animals such as the sheep, cattle, rabbits, and bees. They were assisted by the designated BABRC personnel throughout the tour who also ensured that the biosecurity measures were strictly observed throughout the activity.
Produced planting materials and animals including vermicompost in the BABRC may be requested by organized groups such as the IPOs through a letter addressed to the Regional Executive Director subject to availability of resources.
Inspired
An open forum was conducted in the afternoon for the IPO’s to share or feedback what they have learned during the visit. DAADIPO member and Itogon Councilor Norberto Pacio said that he was inspired by the improvements of the BABRC since his last visit. Pacio hopes to establish a mini-BABRC in their municipality to showcase new agricultural technology.
“Isu nga kayat ko umay ditoy, di last nga inmay ak ditoy ket medyo dakkel ti nag-improve-an na. Ket na-ispire ak unay ken maka-plano tayo met nu adda kuma ti pondo ti maysa nga people’s organization wenno farmers’ association nga ag-establish iti uray bassit lang nga mai-showcasean ti practice iti agriculture ken dagitoy barbaro nga technology,” Pacio said.
(That’s why I like it here, there were a lot of improvements since my last visit. I was inspired. We can plan too, only if the people’s organization or farmers association has funds to establish even a small exhibition to showcase our agricultural practices and new technologies.)
Tainted coffee
A participant, on the other hand, raised the problem on coffee produced at Barangay Domolpos in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet.
Victor Tanacio of DAADIPO said that businessmen buying from them mix second-rate coffee as an extender. This compromises the quality and flavor of the Itogon Arabica coffee.
“Idiyay ayan mi nga Dumolpos, medyo mayat ti kape idiyay. Ngem ti problema nu gatangen dagiti negosyante, ket lau-laukan da. Awanen, haan nga rumwar diyay raman na ta nalaukan,” Tanacio said.
(In our hometown, which is Dumolpos, the coffee is of good quality. The problem is some businessmen would buy our coffee and mix it with other coffee. The real taste of the Itogon-produced coffee is tainted.)
Tanacio added that their community has a proper way of roasting their coffee. He emphasized that even though the coffee beans were freshly harvested, a decent cup of coffee would not result from improper roasting.
Research Division Chief Luis Lang-oy then proposed that they organize trainings on coffee roasting and packaging to maintain the quality of their coffee and ensure that it will not be tainted.
4K Program Regional Focal Person Charles Picpican added that the DA-CAR, through Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Atty. Jennilyn Dawayan, has further plans to characterize and certify coffee grown and processed in Itogon.
In June 2021, the DA-CAR, through its 4K Program, distributed 3,000 Arabica coffee seedlings to DAADIPO. The coffee seedlings are in addition to the existing coffee trees in the community which benefits 45 families from the DAADIPO as Proponent Group.
Onsite training
Pacio also raised the need for an onsite training or capacity-building facility for the farmers instead of using the funds for trainings held outside their communities. With this strategy, they can save money while still performing their tasks as farmers.
In response, Picpican stated that there are plans for the development of training centers inside BABRC and that they are hoping that the government will fund the project. //JBP