Panay FITS Center lists 2011 accomplishments
By Niño Manaog
With reports from Juanito Hecita, Jr. and Ma. Edeline Mendez
Since its launch in November 2010, the Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in Panay, Capiz has been active in the implementation and assistance to the projects that benefited a big number of its constituents.
Working with the Capiz State University as its partner member agency, the Panay FITS Center is composed of Mr. Juanito Hecita, Jr., FITS Manager; Ma. Edeline Mendez, Information Services Specialist; Ramie Detaro, Technology Services Specialist; Jessie Barcenas and Anabel Villaruz, HVCC Coordinators; Nida Arro and Editha Dollete, Crops Coordinators; Nita Develos, Livestock Coordinator; and Rosalyn Delos Santos and Francis Villar, Support Staff.
The Center made accomplishments across the different sectors which benefited farmer clients in the municipality, among others.
Crops
Under the PalayCheck System, the Center led the implementation of Rapid Seed Supply Financing Program (RaSSFiP) II by awarding 705 bags of subsidized palay seeds (40 kg per sack) released October 16, 2010 to August, 2011 to farmer beneficiaries of different barangays. One bag was awarded to one hectare of the beneficiary.
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Palaycheck participants from barangay Tico prepare their AESA Reports for discussion in their Wednesday classes led by PhilRice and the FITS Center personnel. |
To advocate to effective and productive farming practices among its farmer constituents, the Center also led the conduct of the Farmers Field School (FFS) & School-on-the-Air held over Radio Mindanao Network (RMN)’s DYVR (1223 kHz) in coordination with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) Capiz and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). Launched October 19, 2011, the FFS has enrolled some 30 farmers of barangay Tico, and are set to graduate in January 2012.
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Full-time farmer Anthony Billones, a Palayamanan School-on-the-Air enrollee, harvests his pechay in the Organic Vegetable Garden in Tanza Sur. Billones now manages the Sta. Monica Parish Church’s FAITH Garden which grows a wide variety of organic crops and vegetables for household and commercial purposes. |
In the first quarter of the year, the Center distributed 16 kilograms of assorted vegetable seeds—squash, ampalaya, okra, pechay, pole sitaw and radish— to 100 farmers representing barangays including Cabugao Este, Tanza Sur, Agbanban, Bago Grande and Daga.
In the period covered, Panay FITS Center operated and maintained a 1,000 sq.m-cut-foliage demonstration project in barangay Tanza Sur which cultivates Florida beauty as ornamental plant. Cut flowers harvested from the said farm were marketed and sold to local buyers.
In the same area, Panay FITS Center also maintained a 1,000-sq.m organic vegetable garden cultivating vegetables like pechay, okra, eggplants and pepper. It also practices vermicomposting and promotes the use of indigenous microorganisms (IMOs) and environment-friendly solid waste management practices.
Among others, the Center assisted in the establishment of the Food-Always-in-the-Home (FAITH) Garden located at the Sta. Monica Parish Church grounds in Poblacion Ilaya, Panay, Capiz. Managed by the local clergy headed Msgr. Ben Advincula, the 5,000-sq.m agricultural project features varied kinds of vegetables and also promotes the use of indigenous microorganisms (IMOs), vermi-composting and environment-friendly solid waste management practices.
To launch a massive campaign for organic agriculture in the municipality in consonance with the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, the Center facilitated the conduct of capability building activities on bio-intensive gardening (big), plant propagation and organic concoctions.
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Capiz State University Techno Gabay Team Leader Eduardo Navarra briefs the Tico farmers on the relevance of the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center in Panay, Capiz. CapSU acts as the partner member agency for Panay FITS Center reporting directly to the WESVARRDEC. |
The Center also helped prepare the project proposal requesting the establishment of Organic Vegetable Demo Garden and endorsing Richard Borreros as proposed cooperator in barangay Cabugao Este, Panay, Capiz. The same was endorsed to the DA office on December 12, 2011.
The FITS Center also assisted in the conduct of the Farmers Field School (FFS) & Palayamanan School-on-the-Air over Radio Mindanao Network (RMN)-DYVR (1223 kHz) in partnership with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) Capiz and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) from November 7, 2010 to April 16, 2011. Out of 30 farmers students enrolled, 20 farmer graduates were given certificates of completion in April 2011.
Livestock
Across the year, the Center has also been engaged in the operation and maintenance of slaughterhouse based in Cabugao Oeste, Panay, Capiz. In the campaign for Massive Anti-Rabies Vaccination, 2,723 dogs were vaccinated between March 2011 and December 2011serving some 1,833 owners across 42 barangays. In December, some 30 farmers in classes under the Farmers Field School (FFS) were taught the rudiments of Native Chicken Raising in barangay Tanza Sur.
Multisectoral Initiatives
In support of the tourism initiatives of the town, the Center extended Market Support during the Product Expo held May 1–4, 2011 at the Tourism Building, Poblacion, Panay, Capiz. The Center likewise assisted in the operations of Agrifood Terminal Operations in Cabugao Oeste, Panay, Capiz when it was launched February 25, 2011. And during the 2011 Sinadya sa Halaran Horticulture and Agro Fair held December 8–11, 2011 at the Provincial Park, Roxas City, the FITS Center showcased products food—papaya pickles from Agbanban and novelty and shell craft items from Tanza Norte.
Juanito Hecita, Jr., FITS Manager
Ma. Edeline Mendez, Information Services Specialist
Jessie Barcenas and Anabel Villaruz, HVCC Coordinators
Rosalyn Delos Santos and Francis Villar, Support Staff
Niño Manaog, Extension Associate, Capiz State University
