Agrikultura

Study cites Manobos’ regard for land

Posted on August 31st By Amelita S. Indo, Agusan del Sur State College for Agriculture and Technology C-CARRD S&T Media Service/ Niño S. Manaoag, WESVARRDEC-RACG S&T Media Service/Salvacion Villasis, WESVARRDEC-RACG S&T Media Service/Gretchen O. Nas and Ester L. Lopez, S&T Media Service/ Mary Gentian F. Baisa, S&Edwin C. Villar, S&T Media ServiceT Media Service/

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The Manobos’ beliefs and values are anchored on their concept of the world. Inherent to the Manobo is their strong regard for land ─ the source of life. Thus, after every harvest, they fallow a cultivated area for about 3─4 years to restore the fertility of the soil. They also allow biodegradable wastes to decompose and serve as fertilizer.

Dr. Nimfa L. Bracamonte and Dr. Ruben F. Amparado of the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology obtained these information in their study “Socioeconomic and cultural dimensions of critical resources in Agusan del Sur Focus: Diwata Range”. Their respondents were 224 indigenous and Cebuano groups who reside in Mt. Sambilikan, Mt. Diwata Range, La Purisima in Agusan del Sur.

Manobo or “Manuvu” literally means persons or people. Most Manobos inhabit the rivers, valleys, hillsides, plateaus, and interiors of Agusan, Bukidnon, Cotabato, Davao, Misamis Oriental, and Surigao del Sur. They belong to the original stock of proto-Philippine or proto-Austronesian people who came from South China thousands of years ago, earlier than the Ifugao and other terrace-building peoples of northern Luzon (Elkins 1996; Olson 1967).

Another practice of the Manobo is that they do not cut hard wood. They believe that if they do, a calamity would devastate them. Moreover, they do not enter areas of the forest where wildlife abound. Such practice is anchored on their belief that their interactions with nature and the maintenance of a harmonious relationship with the supernatural play a great role in their good health and well-being.

The Manobo worship different kinds of spirits known as “diwata”, “engkantos”, and “umagad” (soul). Created by the supreme being “Magbabaya”, the diwata include all supernatural beings or spirits who guide and control the activities of human beings.

Faith is demonstrated through various rituals. Their beliefs are further expressed through their actions. For instance, caught fish that are too small or immature are thrown back into the “wahig” or water to allow them to grow, mature, and/or reproduce. As for “buhian” or animals, they are just let loose.

On the other hand, the study also found that both the Manobo and Cebuano groups had poor access to human, financial, and physical capital. However, the Manobo were poorer than the Cebuano group. Most of them had a monthly income of P5,000 and below. They got water from springs and relied on kerosene lamps as sources of light. Despite the advent of modernity, the Manobo do not have latrines.

Manobo women played various roles. However, inequity in access to and control over resources was very evident. Women did not have a say in controlling lands, farm implements, carabaos, and other properties, as all these were considered the domain of men.

The study also showed that because of extractive resource practices, the respondents experienced environmental hazards and social discord. Small-scale mining was cited as a major biodiversity threat, which made the community vulnerable to hazards that bear environmental and health costs.

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MS levels up mango-based enterprise

2010 is level-up year for the processed mango business of Rebecca Tubongbanua, Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) Guimaras.

Tubongbanua is the brain and brawn behind the McNester mango products. And to prepare her business for certification by the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) — a requirement for export and expansion — Tubongbanua had the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Guimaras evaluate her mango processing technology and her new processing site.

Tubongbanua’s mango processing technology underwent a detailed evaluation by the DTI team composed of Caryl Noquez, Trade and Industry Development Analyst (TIDA); Johanna Jamero; and Ares Balcarse. The last two members were tapped by DTI Guimaras to assist in evaluating the BFAD preparations of the farmer scientist.

The DTI team helped Tubongbanua identify the stages in the process flow, the layout of the plant, and the nitty-gritty of producing everything mango from the dried fruit, sauce, ketchup, to the concentrate.

Tubongbanua was also taught to document her manufacturing procedures and the Sanitation Standard Operation Procedures (SSOP). She was also assisted in identifying critical control points in the procedures—from the receipt of raw materials through to marketing of her products.

After the one-on-one consultation with Tubongbanua, Jamero remarked that Tubongbanua has been observing quality control points which have helped her produce safe and quality food products all these years. She added that the farmer scientist is prepared to undertake further improvements.

Situated on a 9,800 m²-lot in in Barangay San Isidro, Buenavista, Guimaras, the new McNester Food Products complex was evaluated for its physical layout. According to Ares Balcarse, MS Tubongbanua needs to comply with BFAD standards on the structural layout of a food processing business.

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FITS Banga field day features MS Andrade

The Banga Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center in Aklan recently hosted the field day of the Science and Technology-Based Farm (STBF) on “darag” native chicken. It featured the technology of Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) Margarito R. Andrade.

The MS shared his experiences in STBF, specifically on artificial incubation, brooding, and indigenous feeding. Through STBF, he aims to produce quality hardened chicks and desired dressed chickens; use indigenous feeds; produce quality native (darag) chicken breeders; and showcase a self-sustaining native chicken project in the locality.
To address these purposes, Andrade designed an alternating current-direct current (AC-DC) incubator that can be operated with regular electricity. In case of power outage, the incubator automatically switches to a 12-volt car battery. The incubator also automatically switches back to the normal electric power when power resumes. This innovation allows uninterrupted incubation, which in turn maintains the quality of eggs being hatched and uniformity of hatching. To date, Andrade has designed five models of incubators with capacities of 385─1,980 of eggs per setting.

MS Andrade has also been using some indigenous feeds for the mature chicken such as the leaves of the Marande tree (Trichanthera gigantea), duckweeds, and golden “kuhol”, among others. Based on Andrade’s experience, the Marande tree can be an alternative source of fodder since the leaves contains some 18─22% crude protein in dry matter. Whether fresh or dried, the leaves of the tree can be fed to the chickens. The dried leaves can be mixed with other feeds to promote rapid growth and development.

STBF on darag: the “kwento” and “kwenta”

According to Dr. Anna Mae C. Relingo, Techno Gabay coordinator of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC), the STBF seeks to address the needs of the darag native chicken raisers through the introduction of science and technology (S&T) interventions that will increase production and income.

On the other hand, WESVARRDEC Director Joseph Edward O. Idemne stressed that the STBF was realized through the partnership and support of every partner institution, primarily of PCARRD who established the concept. Idemne said that researches in S&T are not only meant for the shelves, but for real people who must benefit from it.

Dr. Edwin C. Villar, PCARRD’s director of Livestock Research Division, said that the Council has been investing in the darag native chicken for quite some time now in Region 6. Among all regions, Western Visayas is the only one that has recognized the native chicken as an important commodity.

Villar also stressed that STBF is PCARRD’s way of promoting the results of research. Through research, they have seen that they can maximize productivity of the native chicken through artificial incubation and brooding. PCARRD does not promote native chicken to compete with the traditional broilers — but considers it as having a special market in which poor farmers can participate to produce extensive products even for the rich.

According to Villar, the STBF is essentially about the “kwento” and the “kwenta”. Kwento is the story about what the farmer scientist did and the effect of his interventions and innovations, while kwenta shows the additional income the MS has earned with his adoption of the S&T interventions.

“If PCARRD sees some kwenta, after a certain amount of investment in the intervention, showing the income, then that completes the STBF story,” Villar said. He, however, clarified that the field day is not the end of STBF. Rather, PCARRD wants to have a second round of field day to validate whether what happened can be replicated in terms of kwenta.
Meanwhile, Dr. Roberto L. Saladar, Aklan State University (ASU) vice-president Research and Extension representing Dr. Benny A. Palma, officer-in-charge of ASU, expressed the support of the university as a partner member agency. He also encouraged the farmers that when there is “sipag at tiyaga,” there is development.

Some 90 darag native chicken raisers and recipients of the darag native chicken project of the local government unit (LGU) of Banga and farmer adopters in the barangays of Mangan, Pagsanghan, Libas, Venturanza, Lapnag, and Sigcay attended the field day. Joining them were the faculty and staff members of the ASU, and members of LGU Banga.

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USeP inaugurates research lab

A refurbished and enhanced research laboratory now stands at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) Mabini Unit in Mampising, Compostela Valley.

The 107-m² facility now houses a microscopy room, an isolation room, a preparation room, and a researcher’s room. Although originally intended for use of DOST-PCARRD projects on banana, durian, papaya, and mango, it is currently available for instruction purposes covering other disciplines in agriculture and other allied fields.

The lab was inaugurated on July 2, following its formal turn-over from PCARRD headed by Deputy Executive Director Danilo C. Cardenas to USeP officials led by President Perfecto A. Alibin and Chancellor Ceferino T. Bastian.

Witnessing the affair were the group of banana researchers and evaluators from the different parts of the country. Guest speakers include PCARRD Crops Research Division (CRD) Director Jocelyn E. Eusebio and Southern Mindanao Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium Director Lourdes C. Generalao.

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CLSU launches 1st aggie and food TBI

The first agriculture and food technology-based incubator (TBI) project in the country was recently launched at the Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology (PhilSCAT) in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

The project is under Component 3 “Support to technology business incubation in the AFNR (agriculture, forestry and natural resources)” of the PCARRD- coordinated national program on “Enhancing the demand for AFNR graduates through science and technology”.

The pioneering project focuses on the development of enterprises from agri-based technologies of the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) and allied agencies in Region 3. It also seeks to increase entrepreneurial competencies in the domestic and international markets; accelerate technology transfer to potential and existing entrepreneurs; generate employment; and strengthen linkages between state universities and colleges and the private sector.

“TBI is indeed a huge step towards the fulfillment of our bigger aims and these are to establish, operate, and commercialize agriculture and food-based technologies,” said outgoing Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro, who was the guest speaker of the event.

As support to the project, a P30-million grant was awarded to CLSU for the development of facilities, procurement of equipment, and provision of support resources and extension of technical services to AFNR students and graduates, start-ups, spin-offs, and micro, small and medium enterprises.

With the grant, incubatees and other clients will be able to avail of services including agricultural production and processing, storage, office space, product development, business counseling, financial sourcing, market linkaging, and legal advice on business registration and administrative services necessary to successfully launch new AFNR-based businesses. These services will be orchestrated by CLSU in partnership with collaborating agencies like the Philippine Carabao Center, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Nueva Ecija Fruit and Vegetables Seed Center, PhilRice, and PhilSCAT.

Moreover, the project will capitalize on agri-based food commodities including tilapia, goat, onions, mango, mushroom, vegetables, dairy carabao, and aromatic rice. The CLSU-TBI is expected to create an environment where AFNR students, graduates, university constituents, and entrepreneurs can adapt new and innovative technologies; create new products; and spur development of ventures with long-term potential for success.

International confab to highlight native animals

Native animals…, my wealth, my pride. This is the official slogan and theme of the forthcoming international meeting “Utilization of native animals for building rural enterprise in warm climate zone” to be held at the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija on July 19─23.

Sponsored by the Food and Fertilizer Technology Center for the Asian and Pacific Regions (FFTC-ASPAC), PCARRD, and PCC, the meeting gives due recognition to the socioeconomic importance of native animals aside from being considered part of a country’s national heritage and treasure.

Having been subjected to a long process of natural selection, native animals are known for their tolerance to higher environmental temperatures. With the global concern on climate change, the potentials of domesticated native animals as alternative livelihood to small and rural farmers and as sources of specialty products for niche markets are now being considered. Thus, the meeting hopes to promote technologies and strategies on sustainable production and profitable utilization of native domesticated animals, which include chicken, cattle, buffalo, and pigs.

Technologies and experiences that have been generated from different participating countries, such as Japan, Korea, Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, will also be shared. Specifically, the meeting seeks to collect and organize native animal production and utilization technologies and strategies that are proven effective. Further, the activity aims to initiate strategic and functional alliances between researchers and development workers in the region on sustainable production and profitable utilization of native animals.

Leading the international conference are the heads of the sponsoring institutions: FFTC-ASPAC Director Jen-Chyuan Lee, PCARRD Executive Director Patricio S. Faylon, and PCC Executive Director Libertado C. Cruz.

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