MAMBAJAO, Camiguin (PIA)--"Ang akong pagkaon karon, pinaagi ra gyud sa akong tanom kay nahibalo ko kung giunsa nako pag-atiman, naa ba’y chemicals o wala ba."

(My food now comes only from my plants because I know how it was taken care of and if there are chemicals in it or not)

Supporting organic farming and the laborious practices that come along with it, Cresencio Ayra said that, as much as possible, he does not add chemicals to his plants as his family is the primary consumer of the produce. This, after knowing the side effects of inorganic materials if added to his grown vegetables.

He is one of the 32 farmers from Sitio Kabachan, Benhaan, Mambajao underwent training on organic vegetable production, good agricultural practices on upland rice, and sustainable corn production on sloping areas, May 16-18. 

He practices intercropping and plants vegetables like corn, eggplant, beans, bitter gourd, squash, white gourd, sweet corn, snow cabbage, sponge gourd, wild chili, and mung-beans.

He said planting a good variety of vegetables will help him serve palatable dishes to his family. "Kung magtanom ko og usa ka tanom, sa sunod adlaw, mapuraan ka (if I plant the same kind, the next day, I'll easily get bored with the same kind of food)," he added.
 
Enhancing skills in organic farming

Through the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO), the Provincial Government of Camiguin, in collaboration with the Local Government of Mambajao, targets to empower farmers in the province by helping them acquire the knowledge and skills to adopt sustainable, eco-friendly practices, meet market demands, improve profitability, and contribute to environmental and food security goals.

"Mas importante gyud ni kay para dugang sa kaalaman mugawas nako, duna pud mi’y mga kaigsuonan diri nga walay kabangkaagan bahin sa pananom, labi na sa kaning organic kay ang naandan sa mga farmer karon instant nga makita nila ang ilang tanom nga nindot diretso," Ayra said.

(This is really more important because, in addition to my knowledge, we also have brothers and sisters here who have no knowledge about the crops, especially this organic one, because what is common among farmers today is that they want to instantly see their crops—those that are beautiful straight away)

The topics discussed include organic vegetable production, organic pest management, agricultural waste management, good agricultural practices on upland rice, sustainable corn production in sloping areas, vermicomposting, organic bokashi and foliar fertilizer production, financial literacy, and abaca production.

"Kani siya ang isa sa atong mga support programs organic agriculture nato ang mag-pilot ta og barangay, one barangay per year. So sa karon nga year nagsugod ta diri sa Mambajao ug atong napili diri sa Kabachan, Benhaan. Atong beneficiary or atong recipient sa atong karon nga year is ang Kabachan Upland Farmers Association," said Engineer II Donna Jade Ariata.

(This is one of our organic agriculture support programs. We will pilot in one barangay per year. So this year, we started here in Mambajao, and we chose here in Kabachan, Benhaan. Our beneficiary or recipient for the current year is the Kabachan Upland Farmers Association)

She added that aside from the training, they will also provide inputs and tools so the farmers can immediately start practicing organic farming.

"Hopefully, paghuman ani nga training makasugod sila, ma-apply nila ang ilang mga natun-an ug ato gyud ni silang sundon ug imonitor hangtod gyud nga makatanom sila, hangtod pud nga maka-harvest, ug hangtod pud sa pagbaligya gyud sa ilang abot," Ariata said.

(Hopefully, after this training, they will be able to start, they will be able to apply what they have learned, and we will follow them and monitor them until they actually plant, until they can harvest, and until they actually sell their produce)

Noting the goals of the provincial government, Ayra said he'll work hard to also convince the farmers in the area to maximize the training and resources given to them and to appreciate the benefits of organic farming not only to themselves but also to the consumers they serve.

"Sobra ang akong pagpasalamat kay nahitabo sukad sa sukad diri sa bukid, karon pa nahitabo ang training unya daghan kaayo ang nalipay kay ang uban gud actually ang training didto ra man unta ni sa ubos pero misuggest ang among organization nga kung pwede diri," Ayra added.

(I am very grateful that this is done here in our area because, ever since, we have not experienced this kind of training on the mountains. Many people are happy because this kind of training is usually done in the town's center, but our organization suggested that it can be done here in our area)

The farmers also underwent a post-test to see if they had learned from the training. There was also a field visit and hands-on training on bokashi and concoction production. (RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)