Natural Farming Techno Series

MASO with FITS activity

Varietal Trial Demo Site Second Season

The first Varietal Trial was done on first cropping season last year. The result of the first varietal trial will be the baseline for the second and third trials to come up realistic results. This second cropping, there are three (3) varieties planted which are recommended variety in San Agustin namely; NSIC RC160, NSIC RC 154, & NSIC RC 150. Whatever result of this Trial Demo will be made available in the SanAgFITS Center Office and disseminated to the farmers.

In the photos, while the seedling and land preparation is on going; the first activity done last June 2010 was focus group discussion with the farmers adjacent to the Demo site. The purpose is to establish a group of farmers to observe the demo site and would share their best experiences with the farmer-partner. There will be a farmers field day before the harvest time.

The FITS staffs are also on the go whatever the activities in the field...

Installation of Demo Site for Sea Hares & Sea Cucumber Culture

The installation of Sea Hares & Sea Cucumbers Demo site in the tidal flat of Barangay Hornasan & Oteiza had been finally established in the month of June 2010.

The project was monitored only by the technical staff, no beneficiary to look after the project every now and then. After three (3)months of monitoring and gathering data, the project was sabotage by some dwellers who passed by in the area. They almost collected one of the variety of sea cucumbers. For the moment, the project team is trying to revive the Demo site and planned to establish beneficiary to look after the project. Hopefully by the end of the month the problems will be resolved.

Establishment of Demo Site for Sea Hares & Sea Cucumber Culture

The Municipal Agriculture Services Office through its Research and Development Sector will establish a pilot demo site for sea hares and sea cucumber culture along the tidal flat of Hornasan-Oteiza, San Agustin, Surigao del Sur.

This project will be a show window for marginal fisherfolks as another source of livelihood in this municipality.

Currently, the project team has been conducted series of ocular survey and site validation for this project. Hopefully it will be operational by the end of this month (April 2010)and will be replicate after three (3) months,it depends on the result of the research.

Rice Varietal Trial Using Pure Organic and Zero Chemicals

Since our center has not yet identified the Magsasakang Siyentista (MS) who will accommodate the technology or intervention of Science & Technology and provide a show window of the banner commodity for the farmers specifically; the FITS Manager together with her staffs initially conducted varietal trial for rice using organic and zero chemicals as baseline for further research in the near future.

The FITS Staff together with the seed grower collected data last March 30, 2010 from the varietal trial of rice which is compose of three (3) varieties namely, RC-NSIC160, 154 & 150. The area is owned by a seed grower, Mr. Jessico John Campos, located at Sitio Awog, Buatong, San Agustin, SDS.

Data is being prepared for this varietal trial and will be posted soon…

Launching of Barangay Bagsakan & Bagsakan Center

The Barangay Bagsakan and Bagsakan Center in Barangay Sto. Nino, San Agustin, SDS was launched on March 11, 2010. It was started with cutting of ribbon thru Dir. Eliseo Tila, RTD CARAGA DA Regional Office and Mr. Gil Irigan, BOD Chairman of Sto.Nino, Pong-on, Pongtod, Hornasan Multi-purpose Cooperative (SAPPHOMCO). It was followed by site blessing solemnize by Rev. Pastor. Peter Vargas, Sr.

There were more than 100 people had witnessed the launching together with the selected farmers from 13 barangays of San Agustin, few guests and visitors... The Honorable Mayor Manuel O. Alameda, Sr. gave his invaluable message to everybody as well as the supported RTD from DA Regional Office, Dir. Eliseo Tila. The Provincial Agriculturist, Mr. Marcos M. Quico was one of the guests who also contributed an inspiring message to the farmers and to the operators/beneficiary (SAPPHOMCO).

After the messages had been conveyed, the Certificate to Operate was given to the SAPPHOMCO thru Mr. Gil Irigan, BOD Chairman. He accepted the certificate and gave a short message. The activity is indeed a successful one and great lunch courtesy of the Department of Agriculture was shared to all who attended and witnessed the said launching... Before leaving the Bagsakan Center, some bought the product displayed including the Mayor who bought fresh fish, meat, vegetables and fruits. He also offered donation for the expansion of the said market.

Thank you to the DA Regional Office, particularly the AMAD personnel for facilitating this project and was made possible! Thank you also to all MASO personnel who help in one way or another... God bless us all!!