QUEZON CITY -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the province of Batangas has started implementing the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPS) to four (4) Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) benefitting one hundred forty (140) agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the province as part of its measure to mitigate climate change through organic farming.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Engr. Marilou C. Baslan said DAR-Batangas pushed for climate change mitigation by equipping the members of the ARBOs with knowledge, skills and facilities on organic vegetable production.

Baslan said that under the project, DAR-Batangas conducted a hands-on training for organically grown vegetable production to member-ARBs  of Libato Farmers Association located in Barangay Libato, San Juan, Batangas; Red Stone Farmers Organization in Barangay Pulangbato also in San Juan;  and Guinhawa Farmers Association in  Barangay Guinhawa, Tuy; while organic honeydew melon production was introduced to BUMACAS Farmers Association in Barangay Maugat East, Padre Garcia, Batangas.

“During the hands-on training, ARBs were equipped with skills and proper knowledge on vermicomposting, integrated pest management, soil analysis and testing, and urban gardening,” Baslan said.

She added that the ARBOs were also provided with inputs and small farm tools for the establishment of the techno demo farm and each ARBO will receive farm machinery and equipment to be used in land preparation and harvesting. 

Baslan stressed that  DAR-Batangas tied up with Advent Agri-Enterprise and Consultancy Services headed by Rey Marasigan as the professional service provider for the conduct of the hands-on training and establishment of the techno demo farm. 

“The harvest festival is scheduled to be celebrated at the end of July up to the last week of August,” she ended.

The CRFPS is geared toward the goal of building the resiliency of agrarian reform communities nationwide to enhance and sustain the agricultural productivity of farmers’ organizations, by increasing their yield and income to uplift the lives of its members. (DAR)