Disclaimer: This posting is not official, but only a personal account based on interview with concerned Project implementors and beneficiaries/recipients. Its purpose is just to share the experience with this blogger's network of friends and colleagues. Thanks.
This personal observations form part of an evaluation and analysis of the Technical Cooperation Project-Phase 3 (TCP3) of which this reporter is a member. The Project is a collaboration between Japan (JICA) and the Philippines (PhilRice). This was gathered along with fellow evaluator, Mr. Kimihiro Konno, using unstructured interview schedule, and later on with the entire Evaluation Team composed, among others, of DA Undersecretary Edmund Sana (as Team Leader for Filipino Evaluators) and Dr. Kunihiro Tokida, Senior Advisor of JICA (as Team Leader for Japanese side) . Aware that evaluation is a highly political activity, this evaluator attempted to be as objective and neutral as possible, and thus, employed tact in gathering of feedbacks. Terms have to be popularized, questions rephrased, and have attempted to create a relaxed atmosphere with the interviewees. Sometimes, we have to listen to what the interviewee is NOT saying, or “read between the lines”, so to speak.
This report could be an input to a synthesis meeting on July 21 -23 at PhilRice Central Experiment Station, Nueva Ecija.
San Mariano, San Antonio, Nueva Ecija
Feedbacks from TDF farmer-cooperators revealed that their experience on this Project lasted, so far, for only 4 seasons (since 2007). They claimed a minimum to zero benchmark knowledge about the PalayCheck system which the Project showcased, but now they said they have significant knowledge already about the system, with the following as the top 3 most significant and relevant to them: (1) Variety and Seed Requirement, (2) Land Preparation till Planting, and (3) Nutrient Management particularly the use of MOET (Minus One Element Technique). They claimed an increase in yield per hectare from 4.5 tons to 5.8 tons for Inbred, and up to 11 tons for Hybrid. For them, the least significant among the Palay8KeyChecks was the use of pesticides (Chemicals) because they said they are now using other means of pest control like biological and cultural means like thorough land leveling and preparation.
They appreciated the role of LGU particularly the Agri-Technicians (ATs) who were highly visible to them. They formed themselves into an association which they envisioned to be transformed later into government-registered cooperatives for them to operate in a business-like manner.
The Project expanded to Brgy. San Francisco (San Antonio) where participating farmers completed the Season-Long Training (SLT) conducted by PhilRice from mid-January 2009 through April 28 of same year. They said they need the same training for Dry Season cropping. In this expansion area, landholding ranges from 3.5 to 8.0 hectares per farmer. Salient problem in the area as elicited by farmers themselves is water management-related. The area was once a watermelon-planted where farmers constructed individual (farm) dikes to safeguard this crop from water-logging. Now that they shifted to rice, water-logging (poor drainage) becomes a perennial problem during wet season, but experience water lack during dry season. Some innovative farmers tried Submerged rice variety where they claimed a normal yield of 80 bags per hectare. This idea about Submerged rice came from PhilRice too.
Asked what were their other primary needs to sustain their participation to the Project, they mentioned of - (1) Need for more Drum-seeder (which cost of P5K per unit is considered by themselves as affordable, (2) Marketing support from the government (as they normally sell their harvest to rice traders from as far as Bocaue, Bulacan), and (3) Rural infrastructure like farm-to-market road, and irrigation and drainage facilities.
Meanwhile, ATs also gave their feedbacks about the Project which they considered it as highly laudable as indicated by the yield increment of 1 ton per hectare. They also considered “Seeds” intervention as the most important among the packages of technology demonstrated. They relied heavily on PhilRice in providing extension materials for farmers. They said the municipal government is not supportive of agriculture program and that there was no budget allocation for the sector. They said they are using their own money for their mobility and related services to farmer-clients. Institutional development efforts like training and community organizing are their ways of sustaining commendable projects like the Palayamanan.
Sta. Cecilia, Aringay, La Union
The Project is aggressively supported by the LGU led by the chair of Agriculture committee, with a total 13 TDF’s in different barangays. Typical cropping pattern is Rice – Vegetable – Rice, with rice normally planted in July being rainfed, and off-season vegetable in January to June. Vegetables, such as eggplant, tomato, cucurbits, beans and similar species, are harvested twice to thrice a week (depending on the current price prevailing). These are generally sold fresh as they have no commercial processing capability yet; only household level processing like chili sauce-making. Sometimes, the farmers plant corn especially when the market for vegetable is not good. The farmer-cooperator also engaged in poultry raising which manure collected are being used as compost material.
Farmer-leaders in Sta. Cecilia find the SLT they participated in Oct. 2008 to March 2009 very useful for their farming activities, and they started sharing the knowledge to their neighbors.
One identified significant component of the Project is the PhilRiceTextCenter which the farmers find very useful in determining the prevailing price in major markets (Bagsakan) like Balintawak in QC, Urdaneta, Pangasinan and Batac, Ilocos Norte, to which they are connected.
The Agriculture committee of Aringay has a pending request for Greenhouse at the Dept. of Agriculture, with local equity and private company sponsorship. It organizes an association for farmer-cooperators with open membership for all those who are willing to plant vegetables. They also sought the support of private companies promoting vegetable production such as the East-West seed company and the TransManila, Inc.
Rice in Sta. Cecilia is planted in July through direct seeding. They have small water impounding facility (deep-well), but they run dry when there’s no rain. Thus, the farm is generally dependent on rains.
Currimao, Ilocos Norte
LGU-Currimao is similarly highly supportive of the Project. While farming may be considered as marginal in this municipality, its municipal agriculturist and the team of 7 ATs effectively provide agri-services to its 23 barangays, 5 of which is coastal. Agri-development is integrated into the total development plan although the current focus of its government is Tourism development, Currimao being the key seaport in the region. Mobility of the ATs is one of the expressed problem of Project implementers here, and they mentioned of a tricycle as an appropriate solution where 4-5 passenger-ATs could ride through the drop-off points nearest the area he/she is servicing.
The Project as initiated by the LGU constructed a Nursery in the municipal compound to show case proper seedling preparation, which is distributed to the farmers. It also demonstrated related technologies such as proper trellising, mulching and crop management.
Farmer-cooperators (TDFs) and participating farmers (expansion) alike perceived a highly positive impact of the Project as it helps increase their income and decrease their production cost; they learned organic farming and proper nutrient management, and the maximum utilization of their limited farm area. They adopted off-season vegetable planting and the modified dapog system for rice seedling preparation.
Farmers organized themselves into an association which they hope to be transformed into a full-fledged cooperative in due time. They considered the following Project components as the top 3 most important: Seed Quality and Requirements, Nutrient- and Water-Management. They learned that the use of compost does not only substitute chemical fertilizer but also improve their soil properties like its water-holding capacity. Yet, they need more interventions on Water Management like the construction of SFR (Small Farm Reservoir) and on Dry Direct Seeding technique (because they experienced serious weed problem). Related to SFR intervention, farmers express their interest on freshwater aquaculture as well.
Farmer-leaders express their enthusiasm to spread the knowledge they gained on this Project to more number of farmers within and outside their own barangays
While PhilRice is known for rice R, D and E interventions, Project constituents do not mind the Institute (PRRI) providing technical assistance on other agri-commodities. It is in fact, a welcome move viewing from the Farming Systems and wholistic approach to rural development.
The Project @ Brgy. Tapao-Tigue
A parallel observation was made in this village (Tapao-Tigue) where there were 16 farmer-partners involving 11.5 hectares, gave their feedbacks. They likewise planted vegetables like patola, ampalaya, eggplant and pepper. They appreciated the LGU providing soft loan (interest-free) for their fertilizer needs. Sixteen (16) finished Rice-Vegetable training where the trainees went to PhilRice-Batac for 8 times till Dec. 2008-graduation. They identified the top most important learnings as follows: (1) Use of Proper Seed/Variety (where they are now aware of the advantage of certified seeds (for rice) and Hybrid (over Open-Pollinated) for vegetables, (2) crop establishment and maintenance, and (3) Use of LCC and MOET.
Farmers affirmed the assistance provided by the ATs as they were visited and lectured on agri-production at least weekly. They particularly mentioned of the 60% submerged area of their barangay where they need more intervention. Landholding in the area is 0.75 ha. per farmer, and they have no other source of livelihood but farming. To alleviate their conditions, they need more interventions on vegetable and (backyard) livestock production.
They are willing to share their knowledge to others, and expand their vegetable area while sustaining rice farming. They hope to continue receiving reading materials on farming.
Cabugao, Ilocos Sur
The municipal mayor is all-out support to the Project. He said he will pass-on the project concept to the next Administration of this town. He takes pride that this town became the destination of Muslim farmers during the Project’s cross-visitation.
The LGU experience less problem in the course of implementation. They only mentioned of local budget limitation which sometimes affected the timeliness of inputs needed.
Among farmer-partners, a generally positive feedbacks were solicited about the Project. They said their rice production increased to 1 ton per hectare as targeted as a result of their increased knowledge on farming technologies. In general, they earn more on vegetable production than rice farming, and thus, planning to increase their vegetable area to the extent (perhaps double their present area) that they can attend to it. They wanted to learn more on different varieties of seeds appropriate for their farms and on water-saving technology. The major problems they encountered were (1) they experienced no market for some variety they planted (variety not specified), and (2) they need capital for their farming. Force majeur like late coming of rains made their rice seedlings too old to be transplanted. But on the whole, the Project increased their profit in farming because of higher production and lesser cost. One farmer-partner was encouraged to lease additional area to be planted with vegetable as promoted by the Project.
View from OPAG-Ilocos Sur
Agricultural extension is a devolved function of the DA to the local government units. Thus, the view of the provincial agriculturist (Mr. Teofilo Quintal) is important to the sustainability of the Project at the provincial level, where Palayamanan was launched in 3 more towns namely Lidlidda, Bantay and Sta. Cruz. It was reported that the Sanggunian (Legislative committee) was receptive to the Project.
The Provincial Agriculturist appreciated the Project for the following reasons: (1) It uses the integrated wholistic approach to development, thereby looking into the food commodity flow from the farm to the (dining) table, so to mention.(2) It looks into the process of delivering the goods and services, scheme and methods which are friendly to Project proponents and clients alike. (3) It documents farmers’ best practices and thus farm application (of a credible technology) can be made easier.
It was suggested that potential users of technology developed in a particular area visit the place/farm where it was developed, and thus the cross-visitation component of the Project should be sustained.
Courtesy Call with U/Sec for Operations Hon. J. Paras
PhilRice Deputy Director Ruben Miranda briefed the DA top official about this courtesy meeting. He said that TCP3 existed in 17 provinces which productivity is below the national average of 4 tons per hectare, involving at least 2 municipalities per province, 2 barangays per municipality, or a total of 56 municipalities and 112 barangays. The original target of 20 provinces was short of 3 due to the late deployment of Rice-Sufficiency Officers (RSOs). The Project will eventually cover 42 provinces involving 85 RSOs.
The DA-RFUs will eventually lead the upscaling of the Project after the TCP3 evaluation. Thus, for 2010, there is a need to strengthen collaboration with the RFUs.
TCP3 is an on-farm technology development different from the ATI’s widespread dissemination of the PalayCheck system.
The U/Secretary particularly mentioned Iloilo as rice area needing intervention. It has large area but has a low yield average. It was mentioned that the main problem of Iloilo is irrigation-related, and that NIA has low budget to effect this intervention. At the moment, intervention is in the form of rehabilitating the system such as small dam construction, SWIP and improving the watershed for possible sustainability of irrigation system in Iloilo.
Courtesy call was capped by a photo-op with the DA top officials and the TCP3 evaluation team.
The Project @ Butuan City
Group interview with LGU-Butuan City with the planning officer giving the feedbacks. While he is aware of the MOA signed with PhilRice, it seems the LGU is not that familiar-conversant about the details and the general concept of the Project. It seems this LGU just like many others perceived itself as only one of the many agencies being coordinated by PhilRice, and not the coordinator itself. This is understable as the LGU admitted they lack the needed resources particularly mobility and allowance it expected other partner-agencies to provide. It thinks it could only provide the personnel sans TEV for this kind of Project. However, it is willing to include new projects in the future budget allocation as agriculture is considered top priority of the City.
Similar group interview with ATI revealed similar observations. It reiterated its budget limitation to sustain its role on this Project. It is observed that ATI has a relational problem with other partners like the academe (NORMISIST) and DA-RFU. Hostility of ATI leadership seems too evident worsened by the lack of training resources and facilities. However, it seems very clear to ATI its mandate to train the LGU's where it is trying to maximize its available resources for this purpose. It banks heavily on the Training fund "counterparting scheme" to enable it to achieve its mandate.
Had a dialogue with a group of farmers in Tagabaca, Butuan City. The original TDF in CARAGA was in Charito and radiated to Tagbaca where farmers claimed a generally positive impact of the Project in their area. The farmers are now aware and adopting synchronous planting as appropriate variety for low solar radiation area was developed. The variety known as PJ7 is also tolerant to white stemborer, but it was reported to have relatively poor eating quality. Farmers learned from the Project about composting as part of nutrient management. And though they are not into commercial vegetable farming, the knowledge can be applied to backyard vegetable farming. Farmers were also provided with drying pavement and an engine for their “Turtle” cultivator.
There seems to be no problem among Tagabaca farmers on agri-information as their technician visits them regularly, and that they could send SMS message to info-source anytime. While PhilRice have sufficiently provided them with the needed agri-technology, they still look forward to receiving updates on farming technologies. (30)
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