Transfer of technology through interpersonal communication is an effective way of communicating with the farmers.
Taking such an advantage, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga, through the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS), conducted a series of information caravans in selected areas in Caraga Region for the month of May.
In partnership with the Regional Crop Protection Center (RPC) and Regional Corn Program, the first leg of the info caravan highlighting the Prevention and Control of Emerging Pest and Diseases of Corn was conducted on May 12-13, 2022 in Surigao del Norte.
It was specifically conducted in the municipalities of Sison, Gigaquit, Alegria and Mainit, participated by corn farmers in the said areas.
Emmylou T. Presilda, Chief of Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS) said that DA continues to capacitate and strengthen farmers’ decision-making ability on pests and disease management with the use of Bio-control agents produced by RCPC.
Rosita Micarte, a corn farmer in Alegria, Surigao del Norte said that she learns a lot from the info caravan and vowed to apply her learning to her farm.
“Prior to this information campaign, I do not have much knowledge. Now I am thankful because I learned a lot about farming. I will apply this on my farm.,” Micarte said.
The second leg of the info caravan was held last May 17-20 and May 24-25, respectively, for the promotion of urban gardening and organic agriculture practices.
The participants were Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and Barangay Officials from six cities in the region, Bayugan, Bislig, Tandag, Surigao, Cabadbaran, and Butuan City.
Presilda highlighted the importance of having a backyard garden because it is one way to ensure that every family has access to food.
“We encourage everyone to engage in urban gardening or backyard gardening because this helps our everyday need for food and will generate income amid the crisis brought by the pandemic,” she said.
The participants were also taught about organic agriculture practices, specifically vermicomposting and preparation of various concoctions. Vermicomposting and concoction help for better growth and yield of many plants. It can also increase the production of crops and keep them from harmful pests.
Kagawad Reynaldo Betoy of Surigao City, one of the participants said that the caravan gave him knowledge on organic agriculture, a piece of helpful information especially since some of his plants in the backyard are not growing well and the fertilizers are costly.
“Some of my vegetables in the backyard are not growing healthy, plus the fertilizers are a bit pricey. So, I will apply the knowledge I learned today, especially the concoctions,” he said.
To further promote urban gardening, DA-Caraga will conduct an Urban Gardening Contest wherein every participating city will select a youth organization in their locality to showcase an urban garden. The contest will start in June 2022.
Urban gardening is a process of cultivating crops for food despite the limited space in urban areas to improve food security and food safety.
DA-Caraga through RAFIS has been conducting various ways of info dissemination, one of which is the information caravan, to reach farming communities through strategic communications as one of the 18 key strategies of OneDA Reform Agenda to transform Philippine Agriculture. (Lovely Joy Saludez/DA-Caraga)
