RP-Japan project promotes peace in Muslim Mindanao

By Sosimo Ma. Pablico

An agriculture technical cooperation project of the Philippines and Japan that started in early 2005 is now promoting peace in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) by introducing new technologies that would help farmers improve their farming systems.

The project is in keeping with the promise of Japan’s Prime Minister Koizumi to help the Philippine government promote peace in the country, particularly in Muslim Mindanao.

The project covers the provinces of Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Maguindanao, and Lanao del Sur. It is implemented by the Midsayap branch station of PhilRice [Philippine Rice Research Institute] with the collaboration of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries – ARMM, University of Southern Mindanao (USM), Mindanao State University – Marawi, and local government units.

Barely two years old, the project has already achieved significant accomplishments, particularly in training extension workers and farmers in ARMM for an efficient and effective promotion of technologies.

Starting in April 2005, almost 150 agricultural technologists in ARMM have been trained on rice-based farming systems, including vegetable production.  Five field assistants even went through a season-long training on vegetable production at PhilRice Batac, Ilocos Norte. Five field assistants also went through a two-month hands-on training at PhilRice Maligaya to complement their two-week training on rice-based farming systems at USM.   

At the same time, 58 on-site farmers’ field schools [FFS] or Madrasah sa Basak on rice have been conducted for 1,745 farmers.  In addition, 58 FFS on vegetables were conducted for 1,662 farmers. 

An initial evaluation of the project by USM and PhilRice researchers showed that the farmers in general have improved their farm practices, resulting in increased yields. 

In Maguindanao, for instance, rice farmers now use 40 kg of seeds for inbred and 20 kg for hybrid for a hectare (ha), a great contrast to the 90 to 150 kg in the past.  From 80 kg/ha with traditional varieties, farmers in Pinaring, Sultan Kudarat  now harvest 40 to 50 cavans a hectare with a cavan weighing 55 kg.  Rice yields in Daplawan, Datu Saudi Ampatuan also increased from 50 bags/ha to 80 bags/ha.  Farmers in Meta, Datu Unsay have a more dramatic yield increase of 45 to 50 bags/ha from 60 bags/ha.

Unlike in the past when Muslim women only performed household chores and child rearing, they now assume a key role in farming as a result of the project. For example, Brgy.Captain Rowaida Alawi, a Palayamanan cooperator in Lumbayanague, Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur, is showing to her constituents that decent living is possible through rice-based farming system. 

In Alawi’s barangay, the women have built mini vegetable gardens, practicing mulching and intercropping as new technologies.

Male farmers also have good words about the project.  For instance, Abubakar Misuara of Sumangat, Bongao II, Tawi-Tawi said that farmers in his community have started to plant vegetables because they realized that these could be a good source of additional income by applying new production technologies.

In Brgy. Pigcalagan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao where farmers were not planting vegetables in the past, Abdulkader Eman said that with a small piece of land and diligence, they can derive a good income from vegetables.

In cross visits to the Ilocos Region where rice-based farming systems are common, ARMM farmers expressed their desire to be able to plant vegetables as good as Ilocano farmers.  They hope to adopt their technologies

In fact, the ARMM farmers got seeds of native tomato, Ilocos Red tomato, and sweet pepper.  With the Ilocano farmers’ permission, they harvested the ripe fruits and extracted the seeds, which they intend to plant back home.  In an earlier cross visit to Currimao, Ilocos Norte, ARMM farmers even bought seed pieces of multiplier onion, which they intend to plant in the off-season.

For Abubakar, his interaction with the Ilocano farmers inspires him to produce vegetables for the market.  Unlike in the past when farming was just an ordinary activity in Tawi-Tawi, he hopes that farming will now begin to be market-oriented.  He also hopes to disseminate what he learned to the other farmers in his community.

On the other hand, Abdulkader now believes that vegetable production can be a good source of income, which he did not believe during the FFS.  “We need to exert more hard work and diligence,” he added.

With these revelations, promoting peace in Muslim Mindanao would be a lot easier if the farmers can produce enough food both for the kitchen and the market. As PhilRice executive director Dr. Leocadio S. Sebastian has always told ARMM farmers who have visited PhilRice Maligaya, it would be difficult to promote peace if the people have no food. At the same time, there must be peace for the farmers to be able to produce food.

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/harvest-time/)

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