Last week, representatives of the different vegetable seeds companies joined the staff of the Mihdanao Development Authority (MinDA) in a short boat ride from the town proper of Pagalungan, Magjuindanao to a village near Liguasan Marsh to launch the first Bangsamoro Vegetable Derby.
The village of Layog, located in a higher ground in the often-flooded town by the marsh, had been chosen as the site of the season-long activity where seed companies partner with local farmers in a technology transfer and crop suitability test for lowland vegetable varieties, also known as the “Pinakbet” vegetables.
“Pinakbet” is an Ilocano delicacy which is prepared using vegetables like Eggplants, Squash, Okra, Tomatoes and String Beans mixed with pork fat and “bagoong.”
Layog, like many other villages in the periphery of the marsh, has rich alluvial soil ideal for the growing of corn, rice and vegetables but the lack of the needed technology has prevented people from producing much.
Under the Vegetable Derby Program launched by MinDA in Bukidnon last year, farmers are partnered with Seed Companies to teach them the technology, provide seeds and farm inputs and show the correct farming practices to produce more.
Pagalungan Mayor Salik Mamasabulod volunteered to host the BARMM Vegetable Derby saying the farmers in his town needed the correct farming technology for them to fully utilize the potentials of their rich soil.
At the end of the derby, Outstanding Farmers will be cited and given awards while Companies whose seeds performed well during the Derby will also be given citations.
Among the Seed companies who participated in the BARMM Vegetable Derby are East West, Kaneko Seeds, SeedWorks Philippines and several other smaller agricultural supply groups.
Kaneko, East-West and Seedworks have engaged their respective farmer-cooperators while two other companies, Greenseeds and Allied Botanicals, have signified to participate and will be conducting similar activities last week of July.
Mayor Mamasabulod and Engr. Sedik M. Amino of LGU Pagalungan initiated the preparation of the derby site and organization of the project team as well as the farmer-cooperators in Pagalungan.
The seed companies and their farmer cooperators will commence the sowing of seeds on July 28.
#FarmIsTheBestClassroom!
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!
(Photos by the staff of the Mindanao Development Authority.)
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