THE SIBUGAY’S EXPERIENCE ON ORGANIC FARMING TECHNOLOGY

Zamboanga Sibugay poten

Source: PPDO ,Sibugay PROFILE OF THE PROVINCE

 Belongs to Region IX (formerly western )  Curved - out from the mother province - the last November 17, 2000 pursuant to RA 8973.  A total population of 623,828 individuals  Composed of 16 municipalities and 389 barangays  Land area of 360,775 sq. kms.  Top agricultural and fishery commodity includes; rubber, seaweeds, coconut, rice, calamansi and marine products

AGRICULTURAL LAND :169,013 hectares RICE AREA :25,795.49 hectares or 21% of the total agri – land NO. OF RICE FARMERS : 13,356 PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION : 109 kgs/annum MILLING RECOVERY : 65% PRODUCTION (MT) in all types of ecosystem : 267,472.50 AVe,. YIELD (tons/ha) : 4.65 AREA PLANTED ISSUES/PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN THE RICE PRODUCTION

 Insufficient and high cost farming inputs/materials purchased by the farmers;  High incidence of low farm productivity;  Extensive use of synthetic fertilizers and other inputs resulting to soil infertility;  Lack of access to credit/financial resources for production as well as for value adding;  Presence of informal credits imposing high interest on borrowed capital  Low buying price;  Low appreciation on the benefits of complying with GAP and other environment friendly resource base;  Inadequate pre and post harvest facilities, irrigation and water system facilities KUGI + AYUDA + TEKNOLOHIYA = MAUSWAGON, GAWASNON, MALAHUTAYONG MAG – UUMA SA HUMAY SA SIBUGAY AN AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR RICE FARMERS WHICH AIMS ON THE FOLLOWING:

To be able to help rice farmers achieve an in increase in income due to low production cost; To ensure food sufficiency and availability of safe and healthy food at the table; To be able to help marginal farmers avail easy access to credit and financing; To encourage partnership with and among stakeholders in the sustainable economic development of rice production. STRATEGY and INTERVENTIONS A. CREDIT FACILITATION SERVICES

A farmer may avail of the Php20,000 per hectare loan at zero interest payable after harvest with the following criteria: a. Be a resident of the b. Have a minimum of 1 hectare irrigated land accessible to transportation c. Willing to adopt the recommended technology which is organic farming d. Have a good credit record Farmers receiving their loan in the form of cheque FUNDING ALLOCATION

YEAR AMOUNT NO. Of COLLECTION FARMERS - RATE RECIPIENT

2015 750,000.00 37 95%

2016 5,500,000.00 312 90%

2017 4,000,000.00 512 90%

2018 4,750,000.00 713 75%

2019 7,000,000.00 1,100 90%

TOTAL 22,000,000.00 2,674 80 – 90% B. EXTENSION SUPPORT, EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Conduct regular meetings, technology demonstrations, trainings and farm visitations

C. ADOPTION OF ORGANIC FARMING TECHNOLOGY

DA – AGRICULTURAL CREDIT AND POLICY COUNCIL CREDIT SUPPORT

 A total amount of P5,000,000 were downloaded to lending conduit cooperative – ZASIGECCO and was assisted by the provincial government through OPAg in the implementation and monitoring of the project. HINDERING FACTORS Difficulty in convincing the farmers to shift to a new technology which is the organic way of farming Unpredictable weather condition that would affect the growth and development of the crop Lack of price incentives for organic produce such as rice FACILITATING FACTORS

The full support coming from the Provincial Government and that includes;  Regular allocation of budget/funds for rice program  Provision of personnel and staff to implement and monitor the program Availability of transportation vehicle that will be used by OPAg personnel in the day to day work  Obtain support from partner lgu’s (municipality and barangay) in the conduct of pre and post implementation activities. Availability of Pre and Post harvest facilities such as FARM TRACTOR and COMBINE HARVESTER for rent at a minimal amount. This was given by the Department of Agriculture and manage by the provincial government.  Availability of Transportation vehicle provided by the provincial government for the various barangays and can be used by rice farmers in hauling their produce.  Most of the barangays were also provided with a Multi – purpose covered court that can be used by the farmers as storage and drying facility especially during rainy season Approved Provincial Ordinance on the Adoption and implementation of Organic Agriculture and same with the different MLGU’s of the province.  The continuous support from partner NGA’s like Department of Agriculture and attached agencies – PhilMECH, NIA, ACPC in terms of farm machineries, credit, technology and infrastructure SIGNIFICANT RESULTS: Nominee for outstanding province in the SEARCH FOR REGIONAL ORGANIC ACHIEVERS AWARD

 Increase in rice production by 20 to 30%

Lower cost of production by 30 to 35 %

 Collection rate of 80 to 90%