Agri-10 apprises Recommended Corn Prod’n Technologies project in Maramag town
MARAMAG, BUKIDNON – Aligned with its efforts of bridging the gap between supply and the growing demand for food, feeds, and other industrial products, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) through its Corn program, recently conducted an orientation on the guidelines of Upscaling the Recommended Corn Production Technologies (RCPT) project at the GSO Conference Hall, here.
Representing DA-10 Corn program Focal Person, Richan D. Lacanaria, Corn program Report Officer Richard G. Apare explained that the RCPT project seeks to increase the adoption rate of recommended corn production practices. It also aims to boost production efficiency and farmers’ income by implementing a comprehensive value chain approach in the locality.
Apare addressed the representatives from the Local Government of Maramag through its Municipal Agriculture’s Office (MAO) and farmer-leaders from 10 farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs). These groups are poised to implement the project this June, targeting a 500-hectare (ha) yellow corn production area with an average grain yield of 6-7 metric tons per hectare.
On the roles of stakeholders in the project’s implementation, he detailed that the DA-10 will provide farmer-preferred corn varieties–either hybrid or Open-Pollinated Variety–adhering to the recommended seeding rate of 18 to 27 kilograms per hectare, and fertilizers based on soil analysis results to ensure proper and efficient application.
The local government, through the MAO, will complement the region’s efforts by offering technical assistance on the right method of soil sampling, the appropriate use of farm inputs, and guidance on other recommended production and postharvest operations of farmers on the ground.
Meanwhile, farmer co-operators will provide the labor and land for the RCPT project. They are also eyed to adopt the prescribed corn production and postharvest practices, attuned to suit local conditions as advised by agricultural extension workers.
Beyond increasing yellow corn output, project proponents clamored for the initiative to link farmers to markets, including corn buyers, processors, and consumers. Of which, securing marketing agreements forms part of the DA-10’s directive of bolstering the corn value chain and supporting farmers’ entrepreneurship mindset.
Slated co-operators for the RCPT project are the following:
Narukdukan Kisanday Banana Cassava Coconut Corn Farmers Agricultural Cooperative
Kiharong Corn Growers Association
San Miguel Corn and Cassava Farmers Association
Panalsalan Dagumbaan Talaandig Tribe Association, Inc.
Dagumbaan Agricultural Farmers Association
Bantayan-Bauhon Highland Farmers Association
Kuya Corn and Cassava Farmers Association
Colambugan Corn and Cassava Farmers Association
Dologon Corn and Cassava Farmers Association
Panalsalan Corn Growers Association
These groups come from barangays Kisanday, Kiharong, San Miguel, Panalsalan, Dagumbaan, Kuya, San Miguel and Dologon, with membership ranging from 14 to 323 individuals.
Eligible beneficiaries include active farm cluster organizations duly registered by an agency. They must meet the minimum production area of at least 300 hectares, have access to a package of farm machinery, equipment and drying facilities, be enrolled in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), and be willing to participate in the project.
Under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr and DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu-Laurel Jr, the department continues to pursue its goal of achieving food security and making the agriculture sector more bankable by expanding and improving available agricultural areas for increased production.
For 2025, DA-10 headed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, is also set to implement the RCPT project in another 500-ha site in Don Carlos, Bukidnon.# (JLO/Photo credits: MAO-Maramag)