Marquez: More Food Production Conquers Poverty Grants P10T To Tondog Farmers

by AMBROSIO R. VILLORENTE

Tangalan Mayor Gene Fuentes (extreme left) inducting into office the officers of the Tondog Clusters Farmers Association.

Gov. Carlito S. Marquez

Dr. Noel Manicpic

Farmers and LGU Tangalan officials.

Farmers Field Day and Harvest Festival in Tangalan, Aklan was centered on Modified Rapid Composting (MRC) Project. The Farmers Day was a one day affair held in Ramon Aguelo Farm, Sitio Bangkiling, Tondog, Tangalan, Aklan on Tuesday, September 16.
The opening program highlights included the welcome statement of Tondog Brgy. Chairman Edito M. Rubias. Dr. Noel Manicpic, a retired professor at UP Los Baños and consultant of Food and Agriculture Organization, Bangkok, Thailand gave technical updates on SL-8 Hybrid Seeds. SL-8 is a hybrid rice seeds developed by SL Agritech Corporation where Dr. Manicpic is now the vice president for research and development.
In his inspirational message, Gov. Carlito S. Marquez explained why some people are remaining among the poorest of the poor. "There is a shortage of employment", he stressed. "And the only way to liberate the Filipino farmers from the bondage of poverty is the application of modern method of crops production," Marquez pointed out.
Marquez urged the farmers to follow the recommended agricultural practices like the use of hybrid seeds, proper application of fertilizer, proper pest management, effective weed control and post harvest practice to cut post harvest losses. These correct application of all the factors of production will increase crop yield like the rice from 80 cavans to 180 cavans per hectare per season.
"An 80 cavans per hectare per season of rice will not liberate family from poverty but 180 cavans will," Marquez stressed. He urged the farmers to borrow P10,000 from the provincial fund at one percent interest per month to procure inputs of production. Moreover, Marquez talked about the importance of positive work habits of the farmers in order to fight and conquer poverty in the countryside.
Having viewed and convinced of the Tondog Farmers Association on Modified Rapid Com-posting, Marquez pledged to grant P10,000 to each farmer who will put up an MRC project.
The panel discussion that followed centered on the Provincial Ordinance which bans the burning of rice straw and other farm waste. All the local officials present promised to strictly implement the ordinance for the best interest of the farmers and to help minimize climate change. The panel discussion was led by Provincial Agriculturist William Castillo, Asst. Prov’l. Agriculturist Salome David, OIC Administration, Ms. Erna T. Young, NFA, Dr. Noel Manicpic and Dr. Ambrosio R. Villorente.
Tangalan Mayor Gene T. Fuentes inducted the officers of the Tondog Cluster Farmers Association.
In the afternoon, Modified Rapid Com-posting using tricho-derma was discussed, its procedure, production data and cost analysis. There were testimonies of farmers who are practicing MRC.
The participants also viewed exhibits of projects and crops produced with the use of it. Hon Jay E. Tejada, SB member, Tangalan was the Emcee while Ronilo S. Salaver, GMA Rice Report officer was the Farm Symposium Moderator. /MP