Dec 26, 2012

CapSU joins CPU-DA organic trade fair


On November 26-29, 2012, the Department of Agriculture (DA), in coordination with the Central Philippine University (CPU), hosted the 2nd Regional Organic Agriculture Research and Trade Fair at the CPU Alumni Promenade Hall in Jaro, Ilolo City. 

The CPU-DA initiative gathered some 20 exhibitors from public and private entities— across Iloilo and neighboring provinces like Capiz and Antique—most of whom are advocates of natural farming practices and organic agriculture.


Among other participants, the Capiz State University (CapSU) scattered in ten campuses across the province—and represented by Dr. Cora F. Navarra, newly appointed vice-president for research and extension, brought a number of organic products from Capiz.

From the province of Capiz, CapSU brought to the organic market samples of organic black rice, vermicast and carbonized rice hull coming from small backyard productions in Ivisan and nearby Capiz towns.

CapSU also sold mushroom fruiting bags produced from the mushroom culture based in its Burias Campus and the coco sugar produced by CapSU RDE. It also showcased engineered bamboo novelty items produced by one Randy Fancubila, a recognized Magsasaka Siyentista from Capiz specializing in engineered bamboo technology. 

Fancubila leads the 28-member Dumalag Bamboocraft Producers’ Cooperative based in Dumalag, Capiz which has already been trained by government agencies particularly the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Capiz . For such efforts, it is laudable how CapSU diligently brings to the fore the capacities of small-scale farmers and innovators like Fancubila who discover alternative ways on how to make use of our natural resources while also being able to provide livelihoods in their own communities.

Participating in the same expo were small producers from Capiz and Iloilo who continually innovate saleable products out of organic or traditional farming systems.


All these only go to show how such initiatives can create awareness among the general public; and form part of the one hundred and one approaches by which we can promote practicable ways to combat climate change and its ill effects.

Such and other activities hinged on the national pronouncement led by the DA—primarily the Republic Act No. 10068, or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010—should be further encouraged if only to effectively promote and advance organic farming practices not only to the rural communities but more importantly to every farmland in this country.



MR. ORGANICO
CapSU TG Team Leader Eduardo Navarra shares carbonized rice hull technology to CPU engineering students.

Dec 13, 2012

WESVARRDEC assesses Capiz FITS centers


By NiƱo Manaog
Extension Associate
Capiz State University


To assess the performance of the seven Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) centers across the province of Capiz, the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC), led by Dr. Reynaldo Dusaran, Regional Techno Transfer coordinator, conducted the Techno Gabay Meeting for said farmers centers on Dec. 12–13, 2012 at the Urban Manor Hotel in Lawaan, Roxas City.

Gathering some 20 personnel representing said FITS centers, the meeting sought to determine their performance in Techno Gabay, PCAARRD’s banner program which was sought to bring science-based information and technology services to end users in the agriculture, forestry and natural resources (AFNR) sectors.

For two days, information services specialists (ISS), technology services specialists (TSS) and managers of FITS Centers actively provided feedback to the WESVARRDEC panel led by Dr. Dusaran and assisted by Ms. Salvacion Villasis, Regional Applied Communication Group (RACG) Coordinator.

Led by the CapSU Techno Gabay Team headed by Mr. Eduardo Navarra, the meeting was backed by Deodith Honrado and Ernesto Nillos, WESVARRDEC staff.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the orientation provided by Ms. Jinah Obordo, Techno Gabay focal person of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), who briefed the participants on the particular Techno Gabay components transferred to the ATI.

This year, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) formally turned over the management of FITS centers to the ATI.

On October 18, 2012, selected components of Techno Gabay Program (TGP) were delegated to the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) in a formal turnover at the Asian Institute of Management Conference Center in Makati City. The Western Visayas was represented by Dr. Noeni Nepomuceno, wesvarrdec director and Dr. Allan Alimodian, outgoing director of DA-ATI 6.

Under the new arrangement, PCAARRD through WESVARRDEC and CapSU, will be left with providing IEC support services to the FITS Centers. Said offices will also manage the FITS IS and the ICT services. In particular, PCAARRD will serve as Vice-Chair to the National Technical Working Committee.

For its part, DA ATI will prepare guidelines based on IRR re establishment of FITS, and appointment of MS. It will handle communications and memorandum of Agreement with CapSU and WESVARRDEC. ATI is also tasked to assess PMAs, FITS centers and MSs based on the report by PCAARRD. This will include renewal and new appointments of MSs. ATI will also manage the monitoring and evaluation system including all possible required reports.

As the new manager of the FITS Centers, ATI will conduct briefings to FITS Centers with PMAs in partnership with Consortia; organize Regional Technical Working Committee and advocate for the establishment of the new FITS Centers. It will also hold meetings and dialogues with RTGCs, PMAs and FITS Centers. More important, ATI will provide continuous extension services with FITS Centers in partnership with PMAs. These will include regular trainings, IEC- and ICT-related trainings, ICT Literacy trainings, e-Learning administration, techno-clinic, provision of IEC materials, among many others.

In other words, all FITS Centers launched under PCAARRD’s Techno Gabay—which includes all fits centers from Capiz—will be largely managed by the ATI.

In her closing speech, Vice-President for Research and Extension Cora Navarra of the Capiz State University encouraged activity and participation of the FITS Centers and cooperation between them and the partner member agency.


Facilitators and participants of the TG assessments
led by WESVARRDEC and the CapSU Techno Gabay Team and supported by ATI