THE success stories of 10 farmers who have signed up the Farmer-Scientist Training Program (FSTP) were heard at a farmers’ congress last week. They were also awarded for it.
The Cebu Provincial Government held the 8th FSTP Congress in the Minglanilla Sports Complex last Nov. 11 to recognize the farmers who followed the farming concepts taught in the FSTP, which resulted in increased production.
Gov. Hilario Davide III announced during the event that the 45 component cities and towns that joined the FSTP will each get P1 million from the Provincial Government next year.
“In January or February, we will release the P1-million assistance to LGUs (local government units) that implemented the FSTP,” he
said.
Davide commended the LGUs for accepting the program, saying it was proven to be effective in increasing the farmers’ income.
Dr. Romulo Davide, agriculture consultant of the Capitol and the governor’s uncle, introduced FSTP. The program emphasizes the use of high-yield seeds and follows a specific planting distance and density, the proper way of applying fertilizers, inter-cropping, multi-cropping and other techniques.
Governor Davide awarded 10 “agri-preneurs” with plaques during the FSTP congress. He was accompanied by Dr. Davide, Minglanilla Mayor Elanito Peña and Marina Hermoso, regional assistant director of Department of Agriculture 7.
The awardees were Prescillo Albores of Sudlon II, Cebu City; Emma Bebanco of Poro; Vitalian Borja of Cogon, Tuburan; Jovencio Lanticse of Argao; Jorge Llego of Ronda; Joseph Montanes of Argao; Arlene Montejo of Sudlon II, Cebu City, Columbos Radan of Jagbuaya, Tuburan; Cesar Ramil of Taba-ao, Tabogon; and Vicente Ybañez of Bantayan.
In an interview after the awarding ceremony, Radan said his income from his corn farm multiplied after he applied FSTP procedures in 2004.
His P30,000 annual income from planting corn in his one-hectare lot has increased to P515,000. Radan said he also planted squash side by side with his corn and eggplants in his farm.
“Ako man gi-record ang abot sa akong uma. Dili nimo mamatikdan nga mao ni imong kita kay magasto mana nimo kada adlaw. Pero tungod sa FSTP nakapaeskwela ko’s lima nako ka anak sa college (I recorded my harvests. You may not notice how much you earned because you spend it every day. But through FSTP, I have sent my five children to college),” he said.
Aside from that, he was able to buy two motorcycles.
He plans to buy the farmland he is leasing for P2,000 a year. The property owner plans to sell it for P1.2 million.
For her part, Bebanco, who just started with the FSTP, said she already reaped the benefits. Bebanco, who will have her third cropping season, said she has 500 kilos of corn in her one-hectare farm.
She maximized the space in her farm by planting corn and inter-cropping coconuts, peanuts, and mongo.
Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale assured the congress participants that the Provincial Board will continue to support the FSTP.
During the event, the Provincial Agriculturist Office distributed farm sprayers, drip irrigation units, and camote cuttings.