The Department of Agriculture through the Provincial Agriculture Technology and Coordinating Office (PATCO) Siquijor launched the cassava seedpieces production project recently in Nagerong, Lazi.
Rodolfo Anulacion, Agriculturist II of PATCO-Siquijor, said the project aims to maximize the full potential of Siquijor in cassava production by adapting the modern farming technique of planting cassava.
Emigdio Coritico, provincial agriculturist of the Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA), said he hopes for the project to prosper so other farmers from neighboring barangays can acquire the cassava cultivars that will then become available under the project.
"Based on previous harvest in Parian, Enrique Villanueva in 2020, Rayong 5 vied for the highest yield and starch content among other cassava cultivars. So, mao ni ang atong padaghanon (this is what we are going to popagate),” Coritico said in his message to the farmers.
Farmer cooperator Michael Malhin received the project as he expressed his gratitude for being a recipient.
"Mapasalamaton kaayo ko sa inyong pagsalig ug ipasalig pud nako nga akong paningkamutan nga mapadaghan ning ma-ong klase sa kayut arun makapa-ambit pud ko sa ubang nagtanum pud ug kayut (I am thankful for your trust in me that I will be working hard to propagate this crop)," said Malhin.
Moreover, a corn-techno demo project was also launched with the aim of increasing corn production in the province.
According to Jimbo Israel Casalta, provincial corn program coordinator, corn production has decreased significantly in the last 10 years.
"In 2010, the Philippine Statistic Authority has recorded 7,000 metric tons of corn production but in 2020, this has lowered to 4,000 metric tons," said Casalta.
"We are hoping that this corn techno-demo will enable the farmers to adopt the farming techniques that we will be introducing in the actual demo," he added.
The techno-demo for both the cassava seedpieces production and corn is yet to be scheduled by the collaborating agencies. (Mary Jane B. Suminguit, DA-PATCO Siquijor)
