Smiles of success draw to the faces of the Farmer-Scientists during photo opportunity together with Mr. Victorio T. De Joseph Jr., Regional Corn Focal Person from ATI Region 6, Mr. Anecito M. Anuada, FSTP Project Leader for Region VI from UPLB, Ms. Marianne N. Padalhin, Municipal Agriculturists, and Hon. Orlando I. Inosanto Jr., SB Chairman/Committee on Agriculture both from LGU – Madalag.
MADALAG, Aklan – In the best interests of supporting the corn industry in fourth-class municipalities, ATI Region 6, in partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños and Local Government Unit, produce 31 farmer-scientists in a corn-based production system on August 29, 2024 at Madalag Cultural and Civic Center.
The corn-based Farmer-Scientist RDE Training Program supposes there is no barren soil, only a barren mind and farming as a business. It aims to liberate poor farmers from the bondage of poverty and hunger and emphasizes intercropping system and livestock production to increase farmers' income. Furthermore, it has three phases: Phase I, the values formation, research exposure, and technical empowerment; Phase II, the on-farm experimentation and technology adoption; and Phase III, the farmer-to-farmer technology transfer and adoption.
Mr. Anecito M. Anuada, University Researcher II/FSTP Project Leader for Region 6 from UPLB, expresses his congratulatory message on behalf of Dr. Romulo G. Davide, FSTP Program Leader.
Victorio T. De Joseph Jr., Regional Corn Focal Person from ATI Region 6, presented the farmer-scientist graduates to Anecito M. Anuada, FSTP Project Leader from UPLB, who confirmed the graduates.
"Congratulations, Farmer-Scientist graduates. Today, you will reap the fruit of your labor. I am beyond grateful to the University of the Philippines Los Baños for bringing this kind of program here in Western Visayas. We at ATI Region 6 are committed to bringing out our farmers' potential efforts. We are also grateful to the Local Government Unit of Madalag for accepting the challenge of being part of the Farmer-Scientists RDE Training Program. Now that you have finished Phase 1, I look forward to you continuing to finish Phases 2 and 3," said Mr. De Joseph in his message of support.
Hon. Orlando I. Inosanto Jr., SB Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, commits to further supporting the Farmer-Scientists RDE Training Program.
On the other hand, Hon. Orlando I. Inosanto Jr. SB Chairman, Committee on Agriculture troth commitment to further support the program. He said, “Una sa tanan hay ginapaabot ko gid do ang mainit nga congratulations kinyo. Do aton nga LGU hay iya gilang pirme nagasuporta kinyo. Duyon do amon nga ikapangako para kinyo”.
The farmer-scientist graduates will serve as potential facilitators of FSTP in their communities to further enhance their corn industry. Data from the experimental plots of corn compared the effects of organic fertilizers vs. inorganic fertilizers, IPM, varietal trials, intercropping systems, and others.
Ms. Marianne N. Padalhin, Municipal Agriculturist, is beyond grateful for the opportunity given to Madalag corn farmers.
Meanwhile, Marianne N. Padalhin, Municipal Agriculturist, is beyond grateful for the opportunity given to Madalag corn farmers.
This season-long FSTP aimed to develop and enhance farmer-participants' capabilities to generate and build farming technologies through Training and Participatory Action Research.
