DA eyes increase in corn production

Four-wheel drive farm tractor worth P2.5 million was turned over by the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Davao, through its corn program last July 31, 2019. (Photo from Elizabeth C. Torio, DA 11 staff)
Four-wheel drive farm tractor worth P2.5 million was turned over by the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Davao, through its corn program last July 31, 2019. (Photo from Elizabeth C. Torio, DA 11 staff)

WITH the turnover of P6 million worth of new agricultural facilities to corn farmers in Matanao, Davao del Sur, corn yield is expected to increase by four tons per hectare.

The facilities that were turned over on July 30, 2019 include a P1.4 million seed storage with a capacity of 6,000 bags; a P283,000 Multi-crop Drying Pavement (MCDP) with a capacity of four to five tons of corn grains; a P2.5 million four-wheel drive Farm Tractor; a P1.5 million Hauling truck; a P319,000 Corn mill with a capacity of 208 kilograms per hectare; and a P77,000 Open Surface Pump (OSP).

Department of Agriculture (DA)-Davao director Ricardo Oñate said this will benefit 339 corn farmers of Savoy Upland Farmers Association (SUFA) and 192 farmers from the adjacent barangays. Total beneficiaries of the project are 468 farmers covering total area of 538 hectares.

He added that with the increase of production and facilities, corn farmers will eventually venture into developing their own corn feed grains and other products as well.

“Ito talaga ‘yung kino-consider ng corn program sa Davao del Sur. More than 500 hectares din yan,” he said.

“‘Yan ang gusto naming i-model sa corn program na eventually we go into feeds production. So may corn, soya, and eventually formulate our own feeds for other sectors. With that, maraming maka-benefit na farmers,” he said.

He said farmers could even raise swine using their own formulated corn feed grains. The plan will be under the agency’s Corn Program Division.

Meanwhile, Oñate said there are still more turnover ceremonies that will be held within the year which will help farmers in Davao Region to become more productive and increase their income.

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