The 2011 Accomplishments Highlights of the President Roxas FITS Center
By Niño Manaog
With reports from Joemon Roquinaza, Jenetes Benales, Joseph Beltran, Annabel Dorado and Leonardo Barcenas
The Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in President Roxas, Capiz envisions food production, security and economic enhancement of farmers and fishermen in agri-fisheries sector. Launched in November 2010, the President Roxas FITS Center has undertaken numerous activities that helped to prove relevant to the lives of its clientele.The Center has three sectoral mandates. The agricultural sector seeks to increase agricultural productivity thru dissemination and adoption of sustainable farm management practices, distribution of quality planting materials and infrastructure support. The fisheries sector aims to increase fisheries productions and promote resource management and conservation, rehabilitation and protection for the sustainability of the fisheries resources. The poultry and livestock sectors seek to promote and increase livestock and poultry productivity.
Directly reporting to the Department of Agriculture Capiz, the FITS Center delivered a number of tasks. It prepared and submitted identified priority projects for the municipality to the DA Secretary thru the OPA. It prepared and submitted Special Orders for Agricultural Technicians and Municipal Agriculturists for Agri-Pinoy Program. It also coordinated on the preparation of proposed projects on farm to market road projects.
Through the efforts of the FITS Center working with the Local Government of President Roxas, following financial assistance were released 27 Rural Improvement Clubs, P75,000; 12 Barangay Agriculture and Fisheries Councils, P36,000; 9 Barangay Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils, P20,000; for a total amount of P131,000 released during the Agri-Fisheries Day.
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| Rural Improvement Club (RIC) Coordinator Jenetes Benales (right) guides a housewife in deboning bangus during the skills training given by the FITS Center in Quiajo, President Roxas, Capiz. |
Efforts for Institutional Development
The President Roxas FITS Center hosted the agri-fisheries day celebration on March 23, 2011 attended by 1,300 farmers, fishermen and other agri-rural based organizations including RICs, BFARMCs, BAFCs, MAFCs, 4-H Club, President Roxas Fishpond Operators’ Association, Hog Growers Association and Vegetable Growers’ Association.
The Center took part in the annual Halaran agri-fisheries trade fair, bringing two sacks of raw sugar sourced from Sugar Central and 24 bottles of vinegar produced by barangay Aranguel’s RIC as part of their livelihood.
Some 60 members of peoples’ organizations representing 6 barangays joined the Provincial Cooperative Month Celebration in November 2011 in Roxas City. President Roxas Economic Development Cooperative (Predco) was awarded 5,000 pesos as second place for Best Cooperative by Cooperative Development Authority (CDA). Predco is a teachers lending cooperative and has lent some P2 million to some 100 beneficiaries.
The Center also listed 69 recipients of Akbay Agrikultura Kaagapay ng Bayang Pinoy Program for future livelihood financial assistance. For this purpose, it identified the barangays of Carmencita, Pantalan, Madulano, Goce, Sto. Niño and Cabugcabug for Akbay Agrikultura Livelihood Financial Assistance Program under the National Agricultural and Fisheries Council of the Department of Agriculture (DA). Farmers will be granted 10,000 pesos worth of livestock and facilities. On zero interest, identified livestock raisers will refund the grant in three years.
Moreover, the Center helped strengthen the organizations of 4-H Clubs in barangays Carmencita and Pondol. Among other activities, the 4-H Club members were engaged in vegetable production, cleanup drives and similar other environmental concerns, along with other socialization activities.
Aside from conducting monthly meetings for the MAFC, BAFCs, RICs and BFARMs, the Center monitored the swine projects handled by ten 4-H Club member recipients who were given one swine head in January 2010.
Under the rollover scheme of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), five recipients from barangays Pondol and Carmencita were given capital to purchase piglets for fattening. After a year the money refunded by the first recipients were given to the next for the same purpose. The said first recipients who were high school students were aided through the additional income provided by the sale of their swine.
As of December 2011, a new batch of recipients was given 2,500 pesos per recipient to start the livestock-raising for a new rollover. The recipients underwent livestock raising trainings under ATI in March 2010.
Linkages
The President Roxas FITS Center also helped coordinate with other national agencies. In coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Center helped in the monitoring and assessment of mangrove reforestation program in barangays Madulano (9 hectares); Quiajo (8 hectares), Pandan (8 hectares) and Pinamihagan (20 hectares). The Center linked with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to monitor the ongoing project on oyster culture using raft method in barangay Sangkal.
Working with the Department and Trade and Industry (DTI), the Center conducted consultations with fishpond operators association on the marketing of bangus and other fisheries products and their corresponding value additions.
Working with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Center assisted in the conduct of training and seminars on animal health care program for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) as project beneficiaries thru their cooperatives. For this period, the FITS Center personnel joined the trainings led by DAR on extension planning and methods and technology of growing vegetables for LGU extension workers assigned to ARB projects. The AR beneficiaries are situated in Sto. Niño and Carmencita.
Resources and Services for Livelihood (RSL) Center
For the period covered, the Center maintained the operations of the Resources and Services for Livelihood (RSL) Center, a one-hectare farm devoted to goat raising, piggery, rice, corn and vegetable production. Established in 2004 and funded by the National Agricultural and Fisheries Council (NAFC) under the Department of Agriculture (DA), the RSL Center is located in barangay Cabugcabug, donated and manned by the local government of President Roxas, Capiz.
To undertake the maintenance of Resources and Services for Livelihood (RSL) Center as show window for integrated farming system, the Center has embarked on varied activities. For the RSL Center, it facilitated the pathway concreting and repair of one poultry house; maintained the screen house for vegetable production; and conducted land clearing and rebuilding of vegetable garden plots. An air-conditioning system was also built.
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| Farmers learn from each other how to use the A-frame to locate the contour lines of the sloping land. |
It also secured four dump trucks of mud press from the Sugar Central which was used in the garden plots. The HVCC coordinator led the cultivation from land preparation, seeds propagation, fertilization and planting of crops and vegetables. To upgrade the chicken production for the year, it also ordered 100 heads of hybrid chicken breeders which were dispersed in October to five barangays including Goce, Manoling, Vizcaya, Bayuyan and Badiangon (20 farmers per barangay).
In the succeeding months, the Center purchased and distributed input assistance to corn farmers in the form of seeds subsidy. It led the maintenance of plant nursery and also led the procurement of chemicals for crop protection program for rice and corn. It likewise procured vegetable seeds and distributed them to the target clientele at least once every month. Seeds were sourced out from the OPA Capiz, ATI and the local sources.
To help rehabilitate the hilly agricultural lands in their municipality, the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in President Roxas, Capiz hosted a two-day training cum study tour on Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) on November 15–16, 2011 at the President Roxas FITS Center in Poblacion, President Roxas, Capiz. Some 25 upland farmers from the barangays of Goce, Manoling, Badiangon, Carmencita and Bayuyan took advantage of the expertise of Benito Labindao, Agriculturist II and Lilia Peñaranda, chief of the Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Center for Hillyland Development based in Malapad Cogon, Sigma, Capiz. In the second day of the training, the farmers trooped to the Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Center for Hillyland Development in Malapad Cogon, Sigma, Capiz where Benito Lapindao conducted a demonstration exercises. Led by Lapindao, farmers used A-frames to identify the contour lines in the actual farm.
In December, The President Roxas FITS Center hosted a two-day Vegetable Production Seminar for farmers and teachers coming barangays Cubay, Manoling, Poblacion, Kamatis Village, Cabugcabug. Some 25 vegetable growers and public school teachers were briefed by Training Coordinator Eduardo of Capiz State University (CapSU) on preparing effective microorganisms and foliar fertilizers. Navarra led the group into making their own concoctions including fermented plant juice, fermented fruit juice and fish amino acid.
The President Roxas FITS Center is composed of the following personnel working together to achieve these accomplishments—Leonardo Barcenas, FITS Manager; Ulysses Bendicio, Technology Services Specialist; Joenard Golero, Information Services Specialist; Joseph Beltran, Rice Coordinator; Joemon Roquinaza, High-Value Commercial Crops (HVCC) Coordinator; Annabelle Dorado, Corn Coordinator; Darren Distro, Livestock Coordinator; and Edmund Villaoscarez, Fisheries Coordinator; Marjorie Fuentes; and Jenetes Beñales, Institutional Development Coordinator. They are assisted by Vicente Borre, Jr., livestock technician; Edilberto Teodosio, utility worker; and Jennifer Trumpeta, RSL Center utility worker.
From January to December 2011, the President Roxas FITS Center led by Manager Leonardo Barcenas undertook a series of activities all involved in these said sectors.
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| Farmers and teachers from the barangays of President Roxas, Capiz learn the basic steps in making foliar fertilizers using indigenous microoganisms (IMOs). CapSU's Eduardo Navarra (in striped shirt in bottom left photo) guides the participants gathered by the FITS Center led by Leonardo Barcenas. |
Agriculture
Across the year, the FITS Center conducted farm visits, dialogues, and consultations with rice farmers. In particular, it assisted, monitored and supervised the Ibaca-Culilang rice cluster. More important, the Center listed 326 rice farmers who can now be easily identified for future assistance. It also submitted monthly reports on rice production, planting and harvesting and on the occurrence of rice pests and diseases.
The Center also assisted on the graduation of School-On-the-Air of Palaycheck System for 25 farmer participants representing barangay Ibaca in April. The Center facilitated the production of 61 pieces of flyers on rice seeds production; and a 4” x 8” tarpaulin used for drying. The Center likewise received a grant of 1 unit rice carbonizer through the Governor’s office. It distributed 61 packs of certified palay seeds (5 kgs per pack) and 20 bags certified palay seed rehabilitation assistance to 20 farmers from Manoling, Badiangon and Bayuyan which were affected by flash flood in December 2010. As per 50:50 scheme under the Rapid Seeds Supply Financing Project (RASSFIP), the Center provided 40 bags of certified palay seeds for 33 farmers representing barangays Manoling, Badiangon, Bayuyan, Culilang and Cabugcabug.
Across the year, the FITS Center conducted farm visits, dialogues, and consultations with corn farmers. It supervised the Manoling-Goce and Bayuyan-Badiangon cluster areas and also submitted monthly reports on corn production, planting and harvesting. Moreover, it helped prepare and submit barangay resolutions requesting postharvest facilities from the Governor’s Office thru the Office of Mayor Raymund Locsin.
For high-value commercial crops, the Center distributed some 200 packs of seeds (of seven assorted vegetables) to farmers representing six barangays. It also held quarterly organizational and formation meetings of vegetable growers’ association.
From November 2010 to April 2011, the Center facilitated the participation of some 30 farmers (13 males and 17 females) for the School-on-the-Air (SOA)-Palayamanan by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) which is conducted in coordination with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) Capiz. In this program, vegetable growers were enrolled on SOA and were monitored on their radio learning sessions through house-to-house monitoring. SOA is aired on Sundays at 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. over Radio Mindanao Network’s DYVR (657 kHz). Aside from submitting reports on status of SOA enrollees, Coordinator Joemon Roquinaza assisted in the conduct of 3 consecutive quizzes for SOA enrollees and one final examination. In April 2011, some 22 SOA enrollees were graduated by the OPA Capiz at the Villareal Stadium in Roxas City. Husband and wife Danilo and Merilyn Abian of Kamatis Village in barangay Poblacion, President Roxas, Capiz were awarded Second Honors across the Capiz province. Fifty-two-year-old Anna Marian Golero of barangay Cabugcabug was also cited for having completed all of the required number of concoctions. Winners were awarded garden tools, vegetable seeds and groceries.
The OPA Capiz also identified recipients for High-Value Commercial Development Program (HVCDP) rehabilitation program. Under this program, the Center distributed vegetable seeds and organic fertilizers and awarded garden tools.
Livestock
For the Livestock Sector, the Center launched the Animal Health Care Program benefiting a big number of animals, livestock and poultry. For the period covered, it facilitated the treatment, deworming and castration of some 300 animals including carabao, cattle, swine, goats and dogs. The Center has facilitated the vaccination of 1,500 pigs, 400 dogs (anti-rabies) and 50 chickens (against avian pest). More important, it conducted information drives to different barangays on anti-rabies vaccination and hog cholera prevention program.
The Center facilitated the upgraded swine dispersal program to backyard swine raisers. To augment the income of identified fishermen recipients, ands to introduce alternative livelihood, some 30 fishermen from barangays Mandulano, Sangkal and Quiajo received one pig (10 recipients per barangay). The recipients gave a counterpart of P600 each for the award; they were also required to prepare clean and sanitary pigpens.
The Center also managed the provision of animal health care program to livestock sector. To facilitate the conduct of trainings and seminars to livestock raisers on animal health care and production, the Center led a training for 20 members of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) Cooperative in barangay Carmencita. Provincial Veterinarian Leonil Abordo of Capiz lectured on swine fattening and poultry raising; the cooperative was awarded chickens and pigs by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
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| Participants and sponsors of SALT training in Malapad Cogon, Sigma, Capiz. |
In August 2011, some 80 farmers representing six barangays attended the Swine Management and Product Presentation Seminar hosted by the FITS Center and Vitarich, a private company.
Then, during the Sloping Agricultural Land Technology Training in November, Livestock Coordinator Darren Distor provided input on complementing the upland farms with functional and productive livestock alternatives. SALT is best complemented by livestock raising because through the technology, animal fodder is regularly made available in the upland farms.
Fisheries
Thru farm visits and dialogues, the FITS Center rendered technical services to five targeted fishpond operators and cooperators in barangay Pantalan, Marita and Sangkal. It also helped in the conduct of Pre-membership Educational Training on Cooperative for fishpond operators association of President Roxas. It helped in the conduct of red tide monitoring in the municipality.
For postharvest services, the Center rendered technical assistance on proper fish handling, icing and sanitation to some 200 housewives of fisherfolk engaged in fish vending across nine barangays. It hosted skills training and cooking demonstrations on fish lumpia and fishballs using locally available fish ingredients to the household women of Quiajo, Pandan, Pinamihagan Pantalan, Marita, Aranguel, Madulano, Sangkal and Pondol. It also conducted monitoring of financial assistance given to BFARMCs and RIC beneficiaries.
For fisheries, the FITS Center led capability building activities on marine conservation and management for municipal fishermen. In April, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) conducted Oyster Culture to some 40 fishermen of barangay Sangkal. The participants were taught oyster farming using raft method. Materials were provided by BFAR; manpower and personnel were provided by the barangay; and supervision was led by the FITS Center and the local government and BFAR Capiz.
In October, 50 municipal fishermen were awarded 100-meter fish nets each) as livelihood assistance program of the LGU. It also facilitated the distribution of 10,000 fresh water tilapia fingerlings to fresh water backyard pond cooperators.
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| CapSU's Eduardo Navarra (far left) meets with the local government of President Roxas under the leadership of Mayor Raymund Locsin (far right). CapSU partners with the LGU and coordinates activities led by FITS Manager Leonardo Barcenas (middle). |
