The Department of Agriculture – Caraga’s Del Monte Lowland Rainfed Research Station conducted a Farmers’ Field Day to showcase adaptable agricultural technologies currently being conducted in the station.

The Field day held on October 11 highlighted the Soybean Seed Production Project and Sorghum Research Trial.

The conduct of Field Days are meant to showcase and disseminate various package of technologies to the farmers and other stakeholders.

The Soybean Seed Production Project used the Select Manchuria and Select Tudela Black varieties which were planted on a 2,500 sq.m.  land area in the station’s premises. The seeds used were from the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB).

The IPB is the Institute tasked with developing new and improved varieties which they share to farmers by collaborating with the DA.  

The Soybean Seed Production Project is also a part of the Component 1 of the DA-Caraga’s Sustainable Feed Formulation Program also called as Team Bahug which promotes utilization of locally available raw materials to produce quality but affordable feeds.

Meanwhile, sorghum is a climate-resilient grain crop grown mainly for food, fuel, feeds, forage, and fertilizer. The Department is promoting sorghum production to support the livestock and poultry industry in the country. The planted sorghum for the Sorghum Research Trial which is scheduled for harvest by November aims to demonstrate the suitability of the crop in the region.

Moreover, to assure farmers that there is a market for sorghum, a potential buyer, the AMCB Enterprise, was also invited during the activity. AMCB Enterprise is a feed manufacturing company based in San Francisco, Agusn del Sur.

Moreover, there was also a ceremonial signing of the Supply and Purchase Agreement (SPA) between the DA, farmer Archie Jacinto, and the AMCB. The SPA stipulates that the AMCB shall purchase sorghum grains from Jacinto, who is endorsed by the DA-Caraga, upon harvest time this coming November.

On the other hand, in line with the celebration of the 2^nd Livestock and Poultry Month, the Livestock Program facilitated the distribution of 200 free-range chicks to participants of the Field Day. Another 100 heads of the chicks were also turned over to Barangay Captain Felipa Goloran of Brgy. Sabang Gibong, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur as livelihood support to the residents of the said barangay which is situated along the Agusan Marsh.

The various programs and projects implemented by the Agency is aimed to bring about agricultural development in the region. The DA emphasizes the importance of coordination and cooperation with the stakeholders for the success of the programs. (vanessa p. sanchez/ DA13-RAFIS)