28 corn farmers in Culasi Antique finish Farmers Field School on IPM Corn Production

Twenty-eight corn farmers finished the season- long Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Farmers Field School in Corn Production in Brgy. Esperanza, Culasi, Antique recently.

With the theme “Pestisidyo likawan agud aton kabuhi maamligan”, the graduates were able to learn updated practices on pest management and how to mitigate the effects climate change to increase corn production.

“Ang ginahandum sang mga mangunguma amo ang mapanubo ang gastos sa ila pag pananom, makaginansiya kag mapa-uswag ang ila pangabuhi. Ini nga techno-demo nagapakita sa aton mga mangunguma nga pwede makapataas sang produkto sang mais sa minimal nga pag-aplikar sang kemikal ukon pestisidyo. Ang pag tudlo sa ila kun paano matapna ang pagpanghalit sang mga peste sa mais, mas nakabulig guid sa corn farmers diri sa Brgy. Esperanza” said municipal Agriculturist April Rose Parinasan.

The municipality of Culasi has a total corn area of 120ha which produces corn whole-year. The DA-WV provided corn seeds, fertilizers on a 50-50 scheme applied for the techno-demo project.

Parinasan also encouraged farmers, fisherfolk and farm laborers to register to RSBSA which serves as the official master list of beneficiaries who can avail the different agri-related programs of the government. Recently, fuel assistance was given to corn farmers who utilizes farm machineries in corn farming.

Crop diversification is also encouraged to all rainfed upland and lowland farmers to maximize land utilization and increase farmers income. The knowledge gained by the graduates could help improve crop diversification and cultural management not only on corn but also to other crops.

The Regional Agriculture and Fishery Information Section (RAFIS) also distributed agricultural IEC materials and corn seeder for optimum corn planting decreasing time, effort and cost.###Text and Photos by Joan Capaciete/DA-RAFIS 6