Barira, Margues in Shariff Kabunsuan welcome TCP 4

Around 20 residents of Lipa, Barira in Shariff Kabunsuan participated in the focus group discussion and project briefing of TCP 4.

From the FGD it was found that most residents have been using chemical sprays in managing rice pests in their farm since time immemorial. Albert Usman, provincial coordinator of the project said that in the Farmers’ Field School (FFS) they will be taught of new technologies where they could minimize use of chemical sprays in managing pests like black bug.

Same observations were found in Margues. Residents use Buswak (local pesticide) because it is cheap and effective. They spray whenever they see black bug or other pests in their farm. As compared to other sites, Margues will have their rice FFS this second season. Usually rice goes in first than vegetable.

Datu Blah Diocolano, farmer cooperator in Margues said that they are very happy that Manny Pasawilan, one of the farmer-participants had good harvest by following the technologies taught in their FFS. Manny earned PhP 10,000 in his April harvest.

New sites validated in Basilan, Sulu

Four new sites were validated in Basilan and Sulu for the implementation of the Palayamanan under the JICA Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) 4 this year.

Focus group discussions (FGD) on the new sites were likewise conducted led by Rebecca Patalen, training coordinator of the Project for ARMM. FGD results will be used in designing the participatory techno demonstration protocol in the respective sites. Patalen said that nutrient management is crucial in the two island provinces. Rice bug, on the other hand, remains to be persistent in said areas.

Jun Ammak, provincial coordinator in Sulu said that farmer-cooperator graduates of the project in Sulu showed promising results. Among them are Muammil and Jaiton Jawali who are now selling their produce to the market.

Meanwhile, Romulo Ng and Pepito Sanchez, farmer-cooperator graduates in Basilan earned over PhP40,000 in their April harvest. The two applied the concepts that they learned in the Farmers’ Field School in planting their vegetables like bottle gourd, ampalaya, tomato, cucmber, pechay, and many others.