VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental (PIA)– The Department of Agriculture (DA)-10 alongside its partners recently held a ‘Field Day’ on Sorghum Technology Demonstration to showcase sorghum as an alternative income crop at Barangay Imelda, Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.
Agricultural extensionists from the different local governments (LGUs) of Misamis Oriental, municipal residents, and officials, explored the cultural management practices and production technologies of the crop, including its utilization and current demand in the market, for replication in their respective farms and localities.
“Through the techno demo, we can determine the adoption of sorghum in your location given the appropriate package of technology,” shared DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) sorghum focal person Jurrybe J. Lachica, October 19.
Sorghum Cultivation. The establishment of a sorghum model farm regionwide is one among the initiatives of DA-10 in partnership with LGUs and farmer-cooperators, to promote its products as alternative raw materials for feeds. (DA-10)
While the department has started reintroducing sorghum since 2018, Lachica added that the crop was given a boost earlier this year through DA Secretary Dar’s memorandum order 15, as part of the commodities under DA’s Corn program.
For the year 2022, DA, through its Livestock program has set aside P2 million for seeds alone, as sorghum is mainly seen as a substitute raw ingredient for animal feeds, on top of the P100,000 allotted by the Corn Program.
Following implementing guidelines, ten hectares is required for the establishment of a sorghum model farm while DA-10 grants project implementers seeds, fertilizers, and technical expertise, with assistance from partner LGUs.
Urging others to engage in the cultivation of sorghum, Dannie Baldado, an area coordinator from San Miguel Foods, Inc. (SMFI) bared that their company is in need of sorghum.
“Besides imports, SMFI is willing to buy the products of our local farmers, as a way of also extending help to them being among the company’s patrons for our food products,” Baldado disclosed.
Offering their one-hectare rented land as the town’s pilot site, Danilo Buntag of the Villanueva Corn and Cassava Association, Inc. served as the farmer-cooperator for the sorghum model project.
“I am thankful that I’ve volunteered to grow sorghum in my area after being introduced to such crop through DA’s training. As I have witnessed first-hand its potential as a resilient crop, which requires lesser maintenance and with an assured market, I encourage others to also engage in sorghum production in their respective areas, to help expand the development of the crop,” he said.
From the activity, the projected yield is reportedly eyed at 5 tons, and at a farmgate price pegged at P10.50 per kilo for sorghum grains, farmers can generate a net income of P21,215 with total expenses amounting to P31,285.00.
Barangay Hinaplanan, Claveria is slated to be the next learning sorghum site within the province this coming November. (DA-10/PIA-10)
