Insights and smiles spelled the recent 2018 Farmers’ Field Day on Corn Production at Brgy. Bagbago, Solsona, Ilocos Norte last April 3, 2018. 200 farmers from the municipalities of Burgos, Marcos, Vintar, Solsona, Piddig, and Batac visited the Bagbago Farmers’ Association’s community farm in said municipality as part of the DOST-PCAARRD-funded project on Sustaining Crop Productivity through Science and Technology Community-Based Farm (STCBF) on Climate Vulnerable Areas in Ilocos Norte.

Field Visit: Seeing is Believing 

The field day showcased the IPB-UPLB Lagkitan Glutinous Corn Lagkitan variety planted in said community including the eco-friendly interventions promoted in corn production.  Led by the VP for Research, Extension, and Production of MMSU, Dr. Epifania Agustin, the Project Leader Dr. Dionisio Bucao, and other MMSU officials, the farmers toured around the 7-hectare learning farm guided by Ms. Liza Domingo, STCBF Focal Person and Municipal Technologist of Solsona. Technologies promoted in said farm include the use of improved corn varieties, Bio-N as seed innoculant, use of organic fertilizers, and application of trichogramma to control corn borers.

The field day was conducted to create awareness on the benefits of the S & T interventions applied in the farm of the project beneficiaries and at the same time, give more community members to see for themselves the benefits of the interventions adopted. Specifically, it is to showcase S & T interventions on climate-resilient crops, promote these interventions to more community members to help them increase farm productivity, and strengthen partnership with stakeholders.

Food Tasting: Processing to Commercializing

            Showcasing the MMSU Glut 1, MMSU Glut 2, and the glutinous corn variety usually planted by farmers in the locality, food tasting on the processed chichacorn for these varieties was also incorporated in the activity as an avenue to encourage the farmers continue their production into value adding activities.

            The MMSU Glut 1 and 2 varieties, according to Dr. Epifania Agustin, VPREB and ILAARDEC Director, were developed by one of the University’s faculty-researchers to supply the raw materials needed for the corn industry in the province. These breeds were from the Honey Corn, purified to maintain its white color and ‘clean’ the purple ones, and improved its yield for up to 25% higher than the native glutinous corn. As such, these varieties were dispersed in the project to promote the seeds developed by the University to corn growers and farmers alike.

The Glut 1 and Glut 2 chichacorn were processed by Ms. Mia Soriano, an assisted entrepreneur of the University in Banna, Ilocos Norte and the owner of Luck Theo’s Food Products. The farmers' variety was processed by one of the farmer-beneficiaries in Solsona, Ilocos Norte.

Comments from the farmers reveal the crunch and palatability of the Glut 1 and Glut 2 chichacorn, hence, an encouraging step into entrepreneurial activities.

STCBF in Corn Production: Insights and In Sight

Sharing of observations also beefed the activity. Farmers from the different municipalities openly expressed their appreciation of the University’s efforts to reach far communities and help them improve their agricultural practices through science and technology-based farming.

Mr. Esteban Sao of Brgy. Isic-isic, Vintar, Ilocos Norte said that from their practice of the technologies promoted in the project, they saw the good crop stand and yield of the crops. “Agyamankami, apo, ta uray no adayo ti lugarmi, napakaammuamkami tapno umaykami met agdengngeg panggep iti panagmula iti mais… Idi naangay ti seminar idiay Batac, naamuanmi no kasano ti panagtaray ti intedyo a bukel ken dagiti kasapulanna. Ket iti panagmulami, in-suggest-yo amin dagiti kasapulanmi, kaaddayo ken kassideg. Bayat iti panagtarayna diay panagkitami, kas maysa nga agtaltalon nga ay-aywananna ti taltalonna, nakitak a napintas ti takderna ken adu ti naapitmi. Dakkel unay a pagyamananmi ket ad-adda a kayatmi manen nga availen dagiti programa nga umayyo idandanun kadakami”, he said.

            Mr. Joeffrey Agustin, the farmer leader of Bagbago Farmers’ Association in Solsona, Ilocos Norte also expressed his observations of increased harvest and their learnings on environment-friendly interventions to help their land become more productive. “Kadagupan ti Bagbago Farmers’ Association, agyamankami ta maysakami manen a beneficiary ti MMSU. Dakkel a tulong kadakami dagitoy a proyekto nga ipapaayyo kadakami a mannalon. Adu a teknolohia ti inkam naadal ken maamuan bayat iti inkam panagmula iti pagay ken mais. Babaen kadagitoy a teknolohia a naipaadal kadakami, napaadumi dagiti apitmi. Agyamankami iti MMSU ta dakami a mannalon ti maysa kadagiti kayatyo a matulungan”, he said.

Perspire and Inspire: Messages in Lire

            With farming as the prime industry with which the province is known for, appreciation and commendations were given to agriculturists and farmers who are selflessly serving the country for the food they produce in their farms. As labelled by Dr. Aris Reynold Cajigal, farmers are also considered as Modern Day Heroes.

            Hon. Alexander Calucag, the town Mayor, graced the event with a message of cooperation and support to agencies coming to their areas to help them improve their farming, and loving and appreciating farming. “Continuous learning ti agtaltalon, apo, daytoy ti kapipintasan a pagsapulan ta ditoytayo a kankanayon a makita ti grasia ken milagro ni Apo Dios. Ta no nagmulaka iti bukel, iti natay a bukel, ton nokuan madamdama, adda agtubo, agbiag, ton nokuan makitam mapagbungam”, he said as he recognize the beauty of farming in his recall of his humble beginnings. “No paiturayantayo kadagiti agturturay, no annugotentayo a nalalaing dagitay umay mangisursuro kadatayo apo, ta once a saantayo nga inannugot a nalalaingda, agsardengen ti panagprogreso daytay inatyo panagtalon apo. Kayatko a sawen a paiturayantayo kadakuada, iti kasta, nasaysayaat ti apittayo, nasaysayaat ti masakbayantayo, nasaysayaat ti panagbiagayo, surotentayo ida apo. Denggentayo dagiti adal nga isuroda kadatayo ta sigurado nga okay dagidiay kase natestdan apo… Gundawayantayo ti kaaddatayo ditoy apo, ket agdengngegtayo kadagiti napintas nga adal nga ishareda kadatayo”, he also said in recognition of the experts’ efforts to build resilient communities through science and technology.

Truly, building farming communities is building a resilient Philippines. Through science and technology in full color and access to farmers, every day is a learning-filled day.

• MMSU Extension Directorate conducts proposal review

  MAR 12, 2024

  As part of its continuing drive to implement quality extension programs and projects to benefit various communities in the province, the MMSU-Extension Directorate conducts a two-day presentation of the 2024 extension programs, projects, and activities.  The presentation is attended by 30 compo... [view more]
• MMSU ties up with PNHS for GS extension project

  FEB 07, 2024

  By Crisdeniele H. ClementeThe Mariano Marcos State University Graduate School (MMSU-GS) sealed agreements with Paoay National High School (PNHS) on January 26 for the extension project of the Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics, Master of Arts in English Language and Literature, and Master in Inform... [view more]
• MMSU employees, units recognized in PRAISE Awards 2024

  FEB 05, 2024

  By Rommel Q. Pascua, StratCom CorrespondentThe Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) recognized the exceptional achievements of its esteemed faculty and staff in this year’s Program on Awards and Incentive for Service Excellence (PRAISE) Awards.Over 200 awardees across individual and group ca... [view more]
• Jollibee group ties up with MMSU for agri-entrepreneurship program

  DEC 18, 2023

  By Crisdeniele H. ClementeThe Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) Inc. has partnered with Mariano Marcos State University for the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) meant to empower smallholder farmers and foster sustainable agro-enterprises.The partnership was formalized at the Center for Flexible L... [view more]
• MMSU-ED conducts 3rd batch of Training on Oyster Mushroom Production

  NOV 16, 2023

  In response to the increasing number of community members requesting for training on oyster mushroom production, the MMSU-Extension Directorate conducted another training on November 9-10, 2023 at the MMSU-UBRC. This is now the third batch of training conducted this year.Thirty-one members of variou... [view more]