Pan-ay IPM Kasakalikasan FA, Inc. of Clarin, MisOcc bags the best communal garden award.

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) together with the Northern Mindanao Philippine Association of Agriculturists, Inc. (PAA), Pineapple Chapter virtually awarded the Pan-ay IPM Kasakalikasan Farmers Association, Inc. in Clarin, Misamis Occidental as the best communal garden regionwide on June 23, 2022.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations and PAA Northern Mindanao Pineapple chapter President Carlota S. Madriaga said the contest supports the Plant, Plant program of DA-10 that advocates organic and diversified farming.

She added that the activity is to scale up the country’s food and nutrition security level amidst the pandemic while empowering localities on food production as a source of livelihood.

The top placer received a total worth P77K of agricultural interventions such as free-range chicken (10 modules), garden tools (1 set), wheelbarrow (1 unit), plastic crates (10 units), and 5-in-1 vegetable seeds (30 packets), a cash prize of P15K and a plaque of recognition.

Meanwhile, the Calaocalao Small Farmers Association, Inc. in Don Carlos, Bukidnon garnered second place and received agricultural interventions worth P52K such as free-range chicken (8 modules), garden tools (1 set), 5-in-1 vegetable seeds (30 packets), and wheelbarrow (1 unit), P12K cash prize and a plaque of recognition.

The third place went to barangay Libertad, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, and received agricultural interventions worth P38.5K such as free-range chicken (6 modules), 5-in-1 vegetable seeds (30 packets), and wheelbarrow (1 unit), P10K cash prize and a plaque of recognition.

Further, consolation prizes were conferred to other contenders: Sinai Rural Improvement Club Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, and Tangaro Young Farmers in Catarman, Camiguin.

With the establishment of the communal gardens, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said, that it is an effective way to plant and provide one’s food, especially at the height of the ongoing pandemic.

In March this year, the outstanding communal gardens were rated according to their physical arrangement, utilization of garden space, diversity of crops planted, adoption of technology innovations, and production yield. #(MPMTablon)