MMSU showcases rice demo farms, invigorates farmers

Written by Administrator on 26 November 2020

Farmer leaders and members of the MMSU-Coordinated Agri-Business, Research, and Extension Strategies (CARES) Farm including interested MMSU employees visited the different rice demonstrations farms of the University today, November 26.

Participants of the cross-farm visit toured around the 25-hectare MMSU CARES Farm at the northwest portion of the FEM Building, the MMSU-PhilRice Rice Paddy Art, the President’s Farm, and the Rice Demonstration Area.

The field visit was led by Dr. Aris Reynold Cajigal, the Director of the Extension Directorate, including the Chiefs of the different working sections, Dr. Nida Abrojena of PhilRice-Batac, Engr. Michael Duldulao of the CARES Project, and the President and Vice President of the CARES Project, Mr. Alberto Gudoy and Mr. Franklin Nalundasan. A ceremonial harvesting at the Cluster 4 of the CARES Farm was also showcased with the use of the mechanical harvester to encourage the farmers toward farm mechanization. Provincial Agriculturist Norma Lagmay also joined the group at the President’s Farm and Rice Seed Production Area where she shared valuable insights in reaching further the seed growers of the province.

A forum at the University Function Hall followed after the field visit to further invigorate the farmers through the messages of MMSU President Dr. Shirley Agrupis, Provincial Agriculturist Norma Lagmay, and Dr. Nida Abrogena of PhilRice-Batac.

“Let us dream with a big ambition and let not out humble farming be the hindrance toward that dream. You have MMSU, PhilRice, DA, OPAg to help you learn the best ways to cope with climate change through the results of our research initiatives, development plans, and extension activities. In the near future, this (CARES) farm will be a showcase of smart agriculture… With the Rice Seed Production Project, we will be breeding seed growers and farmer scientists… And with the Rice Paddy Art, we are encouraging our youth to take Agriculture courses. We are showing these farm to you we want you to see and believe. You will be the judge. Through science and technology, we can combat and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, and move forward with new breakthroughs and technologies while we mechanize our farming activities…” PSCA shared to the group to deeply encourage them to adopt the different technologies and recommended farming practices shared to them.

Dr. Nida Abrojena of PhilRice also emphasized the importance of agriculture and smart technologies in farming to help address climate change and the challenge of increasing population against the depleting agricultural lands and labour needs in rice farming, and the continued development of quality and climate resilient rice varieties for food security and sustainability.

PA Norma Lagmay also shared to the group the importance of using science-based knowledge and information to help increase farm productivity. By using such knowledge, farmers will be able to determine the best crops to be planted in their farms. Safeguarding the soil is also a highlight of her message where she emphasized the need to diversify crops to secure and sustain food in the dining table of every family.

To strengthen these insights and knowledge shared in the messages, participants were also given IEC materials on Climate Change and weed management, adding that other topics are available in the Extension Office, free for all who wish to learn and be informed of these relevant production and processing technologies available in the University.

It is hoped that the University will record another bountiful harvest and positive return of investment (ROI) to further invigorate the Ilokano farmers into adopting the different information and technologies promoted and fine-tuned in the University. With the messages shared, it is also hoped that the farmers will continue to sustain the commitment and courage in agriculture despite the immense challenges of climate change.

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