THE ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY’S EXPERIENCE ON ORGANIC FARMING TECHNOLOGY

 Zamboanga Sibugay

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Source: PPDO ,Sibugay

PROFILE OF THE PROVINCE

Belongs to Zamboanga Peninsula Region IX (formerly western mindanao)

Curved - out from the mother province  - the Zamboanga del Sur last November 17, 2000 pursuant to RA 8973.

A total population of 623,828 individuals Composed of 16 municipalities and 389 barangays Land area of 360,775 sq. kms. Top agricultural and fishery commodity includes; rubber, 

seaweeds, coconut, rice, calamansi and marine products

AGRICULTURAL LAND :169,013 hectaresRICE AREA :25,795.49 hectares or 21% of the total agri – landNO. OF RICE FARMERS : 13,356PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION : 109 kgs/annumMILLING RECOVERY : 65%PRODUCTION (MT) in all types of ecosystem : 267,472.50AVe,. YIELD (tons/ha) : 4.65

AREA PLANTED

ISSUES/PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN THE RICE PRODUCTION Insufficient and high cost farming inputs/materials purchased

by the farmers; High incidence of low farm productivity; Extensive use of synthetic fertilizers and other inputs

resulting to soil infertility; Lack of access to credit/financial resources for production as

well as for value adding; Presence of informal credits imposing high interest on

borrowed capital Low buying price; Low appreciation on the benefits of complying with GAP and

other environment friendly resource base; Inadequate pre and post harvest facilities, irrigation and

water system facilities

KUGI + AYUDA + TEKNOLOHIYA =

MAUSWAGON, GAWASNON, MALAHUTAYONG MAG –

UUMA SA HUMAY SA SIBUGAY

AN AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR RICE FARMERS WHICH AIMS ON THE FOLLOWING:

To be able to help rice farmers achieve an in increase in income due to low production cost;

To ensure food sufficiency and availability of safe and healthy food at the table;

To be able to help marginal farmers avail easy access to credit and financing;

To encourage partnership with and among stakeholders in the sustainable economic development of rice production.

STRATEGY and INTERVENTIONS

A. CREDIT FACILITATION SERVICES

A farmer may avail of the Php20,000 per hectare loan at zero interest payable after harvest with the following criteria:a. Be a resident of the barangayb. Have a minimum of 1 hectare irrigated land

accessible to transportationc. Willing to adopt the recommended technology

which is organic farmingd. Have a good credit record

Farmers receiving their

loan in the form of cheque

FUNDING ALLOCATION

YEAR AMOUNT NO. Of FARMERS - RECIPIENT

COLLECTION RATE

2015 750,000.00 37 95%

2016 5,500,000.00 312 90%

2017 4,000,000.00 512 90%

2018 4,750,000.00 713 75%

2019 7,000,000.00 1,100 90%

TOTAL 22,000,000.00 2,674 80 – 90%

B. EXTENSION SUPPORT, EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Conduct regular meetings, technology demonstrations, trainings and farm visitations

C. ADOPTION OF ORGANIC FARMING TECHNOLOGY

DA – AGRICULTURAL CREDIT AND POLICY COUNCIL CREDIT SUPPORT

A total amount of P5,000,000 were downloaded to lending conduit cooperative – ZASIGECCO and was assisted by the provincial government through OPAg in the implementation and monitoring of the project.

HINDERING FACTORSDifficulty in convincing the farmers to

shift to a new technology which is the organic way of farmingUnpredictable weather condition that

would affect the growth and development of the cropLack of price incentives for organic

produce such as rice

FACILITATING FACTORSThe full support coming from the Provincial Government and that includes;   Regular allocation of budget/funds for rice 

program Provision of personnel and staff to implement and monitor the programAvailability of transportation vehicle that will be used by OPAg personnel in the day to day work 

Obtain support from partner lgu’s (municipality and barangay) in the conduct of pre and post implementation activities.

Availability of Pre and Post harvest facilities such as FARM TRACTOR and COMBINE HARVESTER for rent at a minimal amount. This was given by the Department of Agriculture and manage by the provincial government.

Availability of Transportation vehicle provided by the provincial government for the various barangays and can be used by rice farmers in hauling their produce.

Most of the barangays were also provided with a Multi – purpose covered court that can be used by the farmers as storage and drying facility especially during rainy season

Approved Provincial Ordinance on the Adoption and implementation of Organic Agriculture and same with the different MLGU’s of the province. The continuous support from partner NGA’s like Department of Agriculture and attached agencies – PhilMECH, NIA, ACPC in terms of farm machineries, credit, technology and infrastructure

SIGNIFICANT RESULTS:

Nominee for outstanding province in the SEARCH FOR REGIONAL ORGANIC ACHIEVERS AWARD

Increase in rice production by 20 to 30%

Lower cost of production by 30 to 35 %

Collection rate of 80 to 90%