CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Technical Research Report on the project entitled, “Socio-Economic Profiling of Farmers in Northern Mindanao,” was presented by the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) – Claveria, Misamis Oriental before key officials of the agriculture department (DA) in Northern Mindanao.

Said study, which was presented by USTP-Claveria Research and Development Extension Director Dr. Apolinario Gonzaga, Jr. on September 23, aimed to come up with general field information on physical, social, and institutional conditions in Region 10.

Survey results were drawn from 35,000 small farmer-respondents across Northern Mindanao, covering the provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin.

Carlota S. Madriaga, regional technical director for operations of DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) said, such study will be instrumental in the program implementation of the agency in determining clients’ needs, aside from being a vital input in the department’s Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

Key issues initially discussed for further validation include farmers’ monocropping practices; damages in productivity due to calamities; high dependence on human labor and draft animals; less emphasis on farm mechanization for extension services; and machinery preference driven by familiarity and utility value.

Correspondingly, proposed solutions were laid out including unification of research and development efforts, science-based mitigation intervention, intensive social formation, and cross-sector partnership.

DA-10 executive Carlene C. Collado also emphasized the significance of research results in delivering better services to agri-clienteles, adding that the department eyes to allocate P2 million for the RDE activities of USTP-Claveria.

This, he further said, will jumpstart the partnership between DA-10 and that of the institution towards research development.

Said activity was spearheaded by the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PMED) of DA-10 in coordination with the RDE of USTP-Claveria. # (Mary Grace B. Sta. Elena)