Gov’t vows to support rice production in Baluntay

By JOY R. SEVILLA

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 11, 2013) – The local government of Sarangani has committed to support rice growers in Barangay Baluntay and encouraged the local farmers to plant certified seeds for higher rice production.

Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon said in his message during the Rice Harvest Festival in Baluntay on September 4 that the government has been continuously giving support to increase rice production not only in Alabel, but also in other rice-producing municipalities in the province.

“Kamo ang nagapalihok sa makinarya, mosuporta lang ang gobyerno. Kung dili mismo ang tao ang maglihok, lisod gyud. One of the ingredients to become productive is motivation sa katawhan,” the governor said.

He said the local government is doing its best to help the farmers through the implementation of various projects like irrigation system, farm-to-market roads, funding support, and others.

Solon committed P40,000 for barangay Baluntay for its palay production aside from the assistance given by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region XII. He encouraged Barangay Captain Jonalyn Mangatong to pass a resolution for the downloading of the financial assistance.

On the other hand, Jonathan Duhaylungsod, provincial agriculturist, encouraged the local farmers to plant certified seeds to produce higher yield.

“Naa gyu’y kalahian kung magtanum ta og nindot nga binhi tungod kay makit-an nato nga naa’y 15 to 30 percent increase sa atong harvest,” he said. He added that rice production in Sarangani is placed at 3.8 to 4 tons per harvest.

Duhaylungsod also backed the governor’s statement when the latter said that the local government is providing opportunities for the farmers.

“Daghang proyekto ang gobyerno, duna’y mga irrigation projects ug mga opportunities sama sa mga seminars. Ang challenge namo sa inyoha is, ipakita ninyo inyong willingness. Magtinabangay ta para nindot ang atong harvest sa palay,” he said.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) XII, on the other hand, acknowledged Teodulo Dalisay as its only beneficiary of Project STARS (Sustainable Technology to Accelerate Rice Sufficiency) in Alabel. He is also the only rice farmer in Alabel accredited by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).

Nora Divino, supervising economic development specialist of DA-SOCSKSARGEN Area Development Project Office (ADPO), said that aside from Dalisay, other beneficiaries of Project STARS are found in Maitum with three farmer beneficiaries, and one in Kiamba.

“Itong mga accredited ng BPI at beneficiaries din ng DA, sila yung pwedeng magtanim ng certified seeds. Sila yung nag-undergo ng five days training bago sila na-accredit,” she explained.

She said the Project STARS beneficiaries were given assistance by the DA XII.

“Ang grant from the DA is P15,000 per hectare. The objective of this project is to show to farmers the adaptability of DA’s promising rice varieties,” she said, adding that other inputs were inclusive of the P15,000 grant like the Seminar on Integrated Crop Management.

She also said that part of the P15,000 grant was a 40-kg seeds of four varieties, with 10kg for each variety.

“Malaking tulong ito sa mga farmers natin kasi sa bawat 10kg na seeds, 25-40 sacks ang maha-harvest nila. We also encourage the beneficiaries na at least may 2 hectares sila, 1 hectare for production and another one for sustainability. Doon sa one hectare for sustainability, dito nila kukunin yung mga seeds na ibi-benta nila sa ibang farmers, sila na ngayon ang magiging source,” she said.

Meanwhile, Teodulo Dalisay, in his testimony, encouraged his co-farmers to grab every opportunity that the government offers.

“Kung may mga libreng seminars lang man, um-attend na at wag palampasin. Kagaya ko, malaki ang naitulong ng seminar sa akin. Dati totoo sa akin yung sinasabi na kung gusto mong magkautang ng malaki, mag-engage ka sa rice production. Pero ngayon, totoo sa akin yung kasabihang ‘may ginintuang ani’,” he said. (Joy R. Sevilla/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)