Bataan and Zambales farm projects visited

Agriculture officials visited recently three farm projects in Zambales and Bataan to check on their progress.

Officials from the National Agriculture and Fisheries Council (NAFC)–Japan 2KR Program Grant Assistance for Underprivileged Farmers and the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) and the Technology Commercialization Unit (TCU) took time out to see for themselves how the projects, which cover the production of high value organic vegetables, goat raising and commercialization of technology for dried mango and mango wine production are faring.

The goat breeding farm is being implemented by the Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) while the commercialization and technology promotion for dried mango and mango wine is being pursued by the Ramon Magsaysay Technological University (RMTU) in Zambales.

For the Promotion of Protective Cultivation Technology for High Value Organic Vegetable Production, the following have already been undertaken: 1) Identification and establishment of low cost net house; 2) soil testing to determine nutrient content; 3) production of organic fertilizer; 4) market survey on price, supply and demand to ascertain the timing of planting; 5) preparation and planting of seeds; 6) final preparation of beds inside the net house and application of organic fertilizer; 7) maintenance of the crops using organic approach, and; 8) harvesting and marketing.

The BAR-NAFC monitoring team advised the proponents of the project to explore the potential demand of nearby provinces and Metro Manila.

They were also encouraged to establish links with institutional buyers and assure themselves of a sure market for organically grown vegetables.

For the goat breeding project at BPSU, the following have been achieved: 1) Community organizing; 2) housing construction; 3) pasture establishment, renovation and fencing; 4) operation of 100-doe level goat breeding farm; 5) conduct of farmer’s livestock school, and 6) conceptualization of marketing strategies.

Monitoring and evaluation will be a continuous activity for this project since culling and selection of the best animal for breeding purposes will be done.

As for the RMTU project on the Commercialization and Technology Promotion of Dried Mango and Mango Wine, these were the courses of action taken: 1) Upgrading of processing facilities; 2) training, and 3) technology and product promotion and adoption.