Baliangao model farm exhibits sorghum production to encourage farmers to engage in the farming of such as additional source of income and alternative raw ingredient for feeds.

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Urging the adoption of sorghum farming as additional source of income among farmers, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) recently conducted a Field Day and Technology Demonstration on Sorghum Production at barangay Misom, Baliangao, Misamis Occidental.

Around 93 farmers, agricultural extension workers from the local governments of Baliangao and other municipalities, other town residents and officials, and technical staff of DA-10, convened to learn the package of sorghum technology.

According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, through field demonstrations, farmers will learn on the different cultural management practices, potential production and yield, adaptability and the demand of sorghum in the market.

DA-10 Sorghum focal person Mischelle F. Egama, mentioned that sorghum is a drought-tolerant, hardy, easy-to-propagate and protein-rich crop, which can be used as an alternative raw ingredient for animal feeds.

It could grow well in marginal areas requiring less water and rainfall, and can be harvested every 120 days in three ratoons, with an average yield of six to seven metric tons per hectare, she added.

The said demo farm was owned by farmer-cooperator, Genie P. Jabien, who is also the Misom Farmers Association (MIFARMA) president, offering his 1/4 hectare of land planted with red sorghum (ABS 763) variety.

“I am thankful for the opportunity as a partner in the implementation of the sorghum techno demo. I have seen the potential of this crop as an alternative source of income among farmers, and I am encouraging others to venture into sorghum production to help expand the development of this crop,” he accounted.

Meanwhile, Eric M. Surdilla, agricultural technician of San Miguel Foods, Inc. discussed the marketing aspect of the crop and assured that their company will buy their produce, especially come harvest seasons at P14 per kilo for their feed formulation requirements.

Also supporting the activity were DA-10’s Provincial Operation Center chief of MisOcc Sansen O. Tejano and Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex chief Carmelito R. Lapoot. #(Rollin Dave M. Elloren)