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The Department of Agriculture (DA) – Caraga is leaving no stones unturned to ensure that the region will continue to dominate the country’s soybean industry in terms of production and area planted.
Recently, the DA-Caraga has tied up with the Surigao del Sur State University (SDSSU) – San Miguel for the implementation of the Enhancing Soybean Seed Production Project.
The project, funded under the DA – High-Value Crops Development Program, aims to boost the soybean industry by addressing one of the constraints that hamper the industry in Caraga which is the lack of quality soybean seeds.
On March 15, the DA-Caraga headed by Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo turned over to the SDSSU management the check which amounts to P5,000,000.00 which will be utilized for the project.
Under the two-year term of the project, the SDSSU will produce a total of 15,000 kilograms of high-quality soybean seeds, 10,000 kilos for the first year and 5,000 kilos for the second year. The varieties to be produced are the Manchuria and Tudela Black which are widely grown in the region. The seeds will be distributed to farmer recipients who will be identified by the DA – HVCDP.
In a message, DA – Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo shared that soybean is the only commodity that Caraga ranks 1st in terms of production volume and area planted. “We want to hold on to this ranking even in the years to come so we have to continue to boost our production and hopefully this project will help to catapult the soybean industry in the region,” he said.
In addition, Project Leader Marlon M. Garrigues, the SDSSU Assistant Campus Director, emphasized the importance of using high quality and its proper storage. “The quality of the seeds used is one factor that can affect the production so it is really important to make quality seeds available for the farmers to increase our production,” he said.
On the other hand, University President Barceledes R. Estal said that he will closely monitor the project to ensure its successful implementation. “We will make sure to put it into maximum use not only for the education of the student but also to help the farmers in their endeavors,” he said.
In 2019, Caraga topped the regions in the country in soybean production with 356.39 metric tons volume of production and 256.50 hectares are planted.
Inline also with its pursuit to increase the production of the crop in the region, the DA – Caraga has allocated this year a total of 6,745 kilograms of soybean seeds for distribution to farmers all over Caraga. This is expected to cover 332.3 hectares to be planted with an expected volume of production of 4722 metric tons. Distribution of the said seeds will start this month. (Vanessa p. Sanchez / DA 13 – RAFIS)
