Aggie NorMin showcases climate-resilient vegetables thru derby in Dangcagan town

DANGCAGAN, Bukidnon – Aiming to strengthen vegetable production in the region amid the El Niño phenomenon, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), in partnership with private seed and fertilizer companies, launches its Harvest Festival cum Vegetable Derby on September 11, at the Research Center for Upland Development, here.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan said the activity underscores the need to make vegetable production more resilient as farmers face increasingly challenging weather conditions.

Said derby was showcased to around 200 farmers from the locality and its nearby municipalities, agricultural extension workers and other stakeholders. Among the vegetables harvested during the activity were squash, eggplant, okra, pole sitao, ampalaya, cucumber and sweet corn.

According to Nilo C. Panugaling, Jr. Science Research Specialist II of RCUD, the effects of the heat can already be observed in some of the vegetables being grown at the center.

“We can really see the effects of the heat on some crops, particularly in their size and shape. Some crops do not have their usual form or size.”

With this, he noted the importance of identifying varieties that are more tolerant to heat and which practices should be adopted to sustain production despite such conditions.

Participating seed companies include Ramgo International, Corp., Allied-Botanical, Corp., East-West Seed Philippines, and Pilipinas Kaneko Seeds, Corp., while participating fertilizer and chemical companies include Envireau Pacific, Inc. , Sustainable Agro Solutions, Yara Fertilizers Philippines, Inc., BASF Philippines, and Thaiphil Advance Agritech, Corp. .

The Farmer’s Choice Award was given to participating varieties from East-West Seed Company for okra, sweet corn, squash, pole sitao, eggplant, cucumber, and ampalaya; Kaneko for pole sitao; Allied Botanical, Corp. for okra; and Ramgo International, Corp. for sweet corn.

“For us farmers who are engaged in vegetable production, this activity is very helpful because we get to see practices and varieties that perform well under our local conditions,” shared Josell B. Aput of Kalilangan, Bukidnon.

Following the opening activity in RCUD, the Harvest Festival will continue with its next stops at the Research Center for Hillyland Development in Claveria, Misamis Oriental, on September 15, and the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, on September 18.

The activity forms part of DA-RFO 10’s continuing efforts to strengthen climate-resilient vegetable production in Northern Mindanao and support farmers toward improved productivity, increased income, and food security.# (AMBM)