After 16 weeks of training on Farmers Field School (FFS), 118 corn farmers from Mogpog, Boac, Sta. Cruz and Torrijos were gathered together for the Mass Graduation of FFS on Corn Production cum Integrated Pest Management (IPM) last March 31, 2017 at PDRRMO Building, Capitol Compound, Boac, Marinduque.
Ms. Norma M. Alevalo, Assistant Provincial Agriculturist (APA), congratulated all the graduates for successfully completing the training despite of having a lot of work in their homes. She also thanked them for being cooperative and for supporting the government’s program in increasing the production of corn in the province. She also challenged them to replicate the technologies in their community. “… sana po kayong lahat ay magtanim ng mais dahil yan po ang sagot sa ating kakulangan sa bigas. Halos wala pa pong singkwenta porsiyento ang ani ng bigas sa ating lalawigan na sasapat upang punan ang pangangailangan ng bawat mamamayan at tayo po ay patuloy pa ring umaangkat nito sa ibang lugar.” she added.
Meanwhile, Engr. Ma. Christine C. Inting, Regional Corn & Cassava Coordinator, also challenged everyone to try the VAR6 “Bigas na Mais” as an alternative food to rice to stop or lessen the importation of rice from near provinces like Lucena and Mindoro.
She urged the farmers that may all the acquired knowledge and technologies will be put into action. She also encouraged them to organize their associations in order to avail interventions like equipment and machineries from the department needed to improve the quality of their products.
But what makes the event more remarkable was the wholehearted impression from one of the graduates, Mr. Raquelito L. Laylay from Boac. He expressed his sincere gratitude to all the people involved in the conduct of training that helped them enhance their knowledge and skills in corn farming. “…lahat tayo ay natuto at naging maganda resulta ng ating pag-aaral. Lahat din po tayo ay natuto ng pagkakaroon ng pagpapahalaga sa pagmamaisan at sana’y po ay ipagpatuloy natin ito at isagawa.” he uttered.
FFS groups also presented their folk media portraying all they learned in the training. From the four (4) municipalities, the group of Boac bagged the first place and received cash awards and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) collaterals.
Deserving groups and participants also received special awards. Some of the awards given were Best in Agro Eco System Analysis (AESA), Best AESA Presenter, Most Active Participant, and Best FFS Group. Outstanding participants were also recognized. They were Mr. Menardo R. Briones from Torrijos, Ms. Marivel L. Villanueva from Mogpog, and Ms. Rosalie S. Malalad from Boac.
This FFS training is under the Kasaganaan ng Sakahan at Kalikasan (KASAKALIKASAN), the National Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program, conducted by the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the National Agriculture and Fishery Council, the Provincial Government of Marinduque and the Municipal Government of the four (4) participating municipalities.
