Uswag Info Caravan empowers farmers
Around 150 farmers were empowered with new technologies brought by the conduct of 17th USWAG information caravan at Patnongon, Antique last October 25-26, 2006.
The caravan aimed to transfer matured technologies developed by the various member agancies of Western Visayas Agriculture Research Resources and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) to the Patnongon farmers for them to adapt new technologies and increase their income.
"The technologies that we are about to demonstrate on this two-day caravan are coordinated with the local government unit officials so that appropriate technologies will be given to you this day. We also considered the availability of raw materials in your locality in order to have sustainability of technology adoption," explained Dr. Alice Lustica, the Regional Applied Communication Office (RACO) coordinator.
Ruben Nerecina of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA-6) conducted a lecture-demonstration on virgin coconut oil fermentation and nata de coco and vegetable processing while Benito Labindao of Department of Agriculture-Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (DA-WESVIARC) talked on cassava production and processing.
The technology on silage making was given by Ariel Abaquita of Philippine Carabao Center at La Carlota Stock Farm (PCC at LCSF) while Dr. Cora Navarra of Capiz State University (CAPSU) lectured on feeds formulation. These two technologies were aimed at livestock farmers who have attended the caravan.
Engr. Baltaza Gumana, one of the Magsasakang Siyentista based in Pavia, Iloilo demonstrated floral arrangement technology saying that it is particularly important because of the approaching Christmas season.
Engr. Alexis Belonio of Appropriate Technology Center (APROTECH) at Central Philippine University (CPU) and Dr. Jonic Natividad of DA – WESVIARC, gave information on rice hull bricketing and avian flu respectively.
Blasito Almine, the municipal agriculturist expressed optimism that the demonstrated technologies will be properly adapted by the farmers because of the availability of the raw materials and knowledge that they have learned. He encouraged the participants to share what they have learned to their fellow farmers who have not attended the activity so as to maximize the learning process.
The WESVARRDEC is composed of 26 member agencies coming from the government sector, state universities and colleges (SUCs) and private agricultural schools. It is headed by the University of the Philippines in the Visayas as the led agency.
The information caravan team was headed by Dr. Alice Lustica as RACO coordinator together with RACO members namely: Ritchelda Auro of West Visayas State University, Ariel Abaquita of PCC at LCSF, Benito Labindao and Dr. Jonic Natividad of DA-WESVIARC, Engr. Baltazar Gumana of MS in Pavia, Engr. Alexis Belonio of CPU, Mr. James Earl Ogatis of DA-6, Daisy Catedral of UPV, and Dr. Cora Navarra of CAPSU.
(JEEO/RAFID 6)