Last year, Ligao City was awarded as one of the top performing Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Philippines for its exceptional contribution to the corn industry. This year, the City will be receiving yet another award for continuously rendering quality agricultural services and programs and enhanced farming facilities.
Through the City Agriculture Office (CAO), Ligao yields a variety of agricultural services and programs for farmers, communities, and people’s organizations. To complement these, the local government also acquires and improvises farming machineries and equipment for efficient farming operations.
CAO provides assistance to farmers from planting to marketing stage. They also conduct monthly meetings with farmers to discuss farming technologies. CAO has various agricultural services and programs that fall under Crop Production Assistance Program, Soil Resource Management Services, Techno-Demo Establishment Services / HVCDP Programs, Agricultural Production Loan Services, and Agricultural Support to Nutrition Program Services.
1. Crop Production Assistance Program
Rice and corn are the major crops produced by farmers in Ligao. To achieve high production of these crops, CAO provides technical assistance to farmers and conducts farming lessons and trainings to further enhance their knowledge on crop production. CAO deploys 18 agricultural technologists in 55 barangays to monitor the planting and harvesting activities in the areas.
Rice Production Assistance – Rice is a staple food in Ligao which makes high production of crops an important activity in the locality. In 2011, rice produced during wet season amounted to P 130,473,008 and in 2013, the amount increased to P199,845,660. Similarly, rice produced during dry season increased from P194,765,740 in 2011 to P 213,028,620 in 2013.
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| Agricultural technologists deployed in different barangays assist farmers land preparation and planting of crops. Photo courtesy of CAO |
CAO distributes fertilizers to farmers, conducts light trapping to monitor Blackbugs, and distributes Zinc Phosphide to control rat infestation.
Corn Production Assistance –Similar to rice production, CAO also monitors planting and harvesting of corn with agricultural technologists deployed in the areas. Aside from, corn farming lessons and workshops, CAO also conducts training on Corn-based Food Processing.
Operation and Maintenance of Abaca Nurseries –Ligao has two abaca nurseries located in Tula-Tula and Amtic. Nurseries are maintained through regular weeding, re-planting, spraying, watering, and fertilization.
Capability Building –CAO conducts trainings and seminars for RIC’s, 4-H Clubs, farmers and fisherfolks. Farmers also take up farming lessons through the Farmers Field School (FFS) conducted yearly. In 2013, CAO conducted three FFS: 1) Palay Check FFS at Barayong, Herrera, and Mahaba wherein farmers took lessons on rice production; 2) Corn Production FFS at Layon and Busac; and 3) FFS on Vegetable production at Tuburan and Paulog.
This year, CAO has reported a positive performance on the activities carried out under the Crop Production Program. Shown below is a citation from CAO’s latest Quarterly Physical Report of Operations (June 2014).
2. Soil Resource Management Program
CAO provides services and technologies to manage sloping agricultural lands and soil resources in the upland area. Sloping Land Management (SLM) model farms are being developed and maintained to help farmers turn idle lands into manageable land resource. Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) model farms are also established in line with the Soil Conservation Technology.
Farmers also undergo training and workshop on SLM Technology. They also visit SLM model farms within the barangay or in the nearby barangays. As of June 2014, 58 farmers attended two trainings on Sustainable Upland Development.
3. Techno-Demo Establishment Services/ HVCDP
Demo farms showcase the application of technology and best practices on managing crop production. CAO collaborates with the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit, farmers, local organizations, and other agricultural agencies in establishing and maintaining demo farms. CAO also implements High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) to enhance the production of crops with high market value. Some of these crops are Pili, Karagumoy Palm, Sweet Potato, and different varieties of Corn. Special projects are also implemented for the rehabilitation of Coconut areas.
Site Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) sites were also established in Tuburan, Pinamaniquian, Tula-Tula, Pandan, and Busac. SSNM is a plant-based approach in which the supply of nutrients (e.g. Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus) is controlled based on the amount needed by crops and abundance of nutrients in soil2.
4. Agricultural Production Loan Services
Aside from technical assistance, Ligao provides agricultural production loan assistance to farmers through the Ligao Participatory Governance for Social Economic Enterprise Development (LPG-SEED) Planting Assistance. As of June 2014, LPG-SEED has lent P 1,158,000 to 260 farmers. CAO also implements Seed Exchange Program in which farmers borrow seeds, instead of money, to help them produce crops. In return, farmers pay the loaned seeds using the seeds they were able to produce.
5. Agricultural Support to Nutrition Program Services
CAO purchases and distributes vegetable seeds and provides technical assistance in establishing and maintaining backyard gardens.
Farming machinery and equipment
Some farming equipment and machinery are based in and maintained by the communities. The Tramline in Amtic functions like a cable car. Farmers use this equipment to transport heavy loads of vegetables conveniently.
The Village Type Corn Cob Dryer in Bonga can dry more than 5,000 bags of corn in a year. This machinery helps prevent postharvest losses which create higher market sales. Barangay organizations also maintain corn shellers and rice threshers used as postharvest machinery.
CAO also maintains 4WD tractors used for land preparation. This year another 4WD tractor was purchased along with rice combine harvester for the development of upland areas and modernization of farming operations. The LGU shares with the DA in allocating funds for the purchase of the machineries.
Aside from farming machinery and equipment, Ligao has also established irrigation canals to divert water resources such as rain water into agricultural lands which are prone to drought.
Growing efforts
Ligao’s commendable agricultural services and programs to farmers and local residents is a product of collaborative efforts of dedicated people. The CAO team, headed by City Agriculturist Cesar Sodsod, is continuously building capacities to further enhance the delivery of services and programs.
CAO partners with community-based organizations like the Barangay Agriculture and Fishery Council (BAFC), Rural Improvement Club (RIC), 4H Clubs which consist of young farmers and out-of-school youths, and other local organizations.
The LGU, headed by Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua, in partnership with Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez, gives strong support in developing agricultural programs and upgrading facilities and infrastructures to improve and modernize farming operations in Ligao.
The DA-RFU5, Provincial Agricultural Services Office, Philippine Rice Research Institute-Bicol and other agencies are also taking part in developing agricultural programs in Ligao.
Written by Lala Peñafiel
__________
Quarterly Physical Report of Operations For the Quarter Ending June 2014. City Agriculture Office. Ligao City, Albay
Resource persons:
P. Sodsod, City Agriculturist, City Agriculture Office
Corn Production Assistance –Similar to rice production, CAO also monitors planting and harvesting of corn with agricultural technologists deployed in the areas. Aside from, corn farming lessons and workshops, CAO also conducts training on Corn-based Food Processing.
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| CAO provides technical assistance on corn production and conducts training on processing Corn-based food products. Photo courtesy of CAO. |
Corn production over the last three years has significantly increased. Corn produced in 2011 amounted to P 792,932 and P 971,265 in 2013.
Operation and Maintenance of Abaca Nurseries –Ligao has two abaca nurseries located in Tula-Tula and Amtic. Nurseries are maintained through regular weeding, re-planting, spraying, watering, and fertilization.
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| CAO maintains abaca nurseries in Tula-Tula and Amtic. Photo courtesy of CAO |
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| Farmers take up farming lessons and workshops through the Farmers Field School conducted in different barangays. Photo courtesy of CAO. |
Activity
|
Performance1
|
Rice
Production Assistance Program
|
|
Rice Hybridization:
|
113 farmers benefited
|
Inbred Rice Production Assistance:
|
705 farmers benefited
|
Blackbug monitoring:
|
35 barangays monitored
|
Distribution of Zinc Phosphide:
|
548 farmers benefited
|
Operation and
Maintenance of Abaca Nurseries
|
|
Abacas planting
|
6,500 (Amtic Nursery); 3,750 (Tula-Tula Nursery)
|
Abaca suckers re-planting
|
650 (Amtic Nursery); 400 (Tula-Tula Nursery)
|
Abaca suckers distribution
|
4,200 (Amtic Nursery); 2,600 (Tula-Tula Nursery)
|
Coconut OPV
|
|
Distribution of seednuts/seedlings
|
4,870 seedlings; 65 farmers benefited
|
Capability
Building
|
|
Farmers Field School:
|
6 conducted; 281 farmers attended
|
Trainings:
|
5 conducted; 169 farmers attended
|
Exposure/Cross visits:
|
5 cross visits; 206 farmers attended
|
CAO provides services and technologies to manage sloping agricultural lands and soil resources in the upland area. Sloping Land Management (SLM) model farms are being developed and maintained to help farmers turn idle lands into manageable land resource. Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) model farms are also established in line with the Soil Conservation Technology.
Farmers also undergo training and workshop on SLM Technology. They also visit SLM model farms within the barangay or in the nearby barangays. As of June 2014, 58 farmers attended two trainings on Sustainable Upland Development.
3. Techno-Demo Establishment Services/ HVCDP
Demo farms showcase the application of technology and best practices on managing crop production. CAO collaborates with the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit, farmers, local organizations, and other agricultural agencies in establishing and maintaining demo farms. CAO also implements High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) to enhance the production of crops with high market value. Some of these crops are Pili, Karagumoy Palm, Sweet Potato, and different varieties of Corn. Special projects are also implemented for the rehabilitation of Coconut areas.
 |
| CAO establishes and maintains demo farms of vegetables and crops with high market value. Photo courtesy of CAO |
4. Agricultural Production Loan Services
Aside from technical assistance, Ligao provides agricultural production loan assistance to farmers through the Ligao Participatory Governance for Social Economic Enterprise Development (LPG-SEED) Planting Assistance. As of June 2014, LPG-SEED has lent P 1,158,000 to 260 farmers. CAO also implements Seed Exchange Program in which farmers borrow seeds, instead of money, to help them produce crops. In return, farmers pay the loaned seeds using the seeds they were able to produce.
 |
| CAO provides loan assistance to farmers through the Ligao Participatory Governance for Social Economic Enterprise Development. Photo courtesy of CAO. |
5. Agricultural Support to Nutrition Program Services
CAO purchases and distributes vegetable seeds and provides technical assistance in establishing and maintaining backyard gardens.
Activity
|
Performance1
|
FAITH Gardening
|
|
Backyard
gardening for farmers
|
694 farmers benefited
|
Communal Gardening
|
|
Distribution
of vegetable seeds to BNS
|
65 barangays benefited
|
Technical
assistance for establishment and maintenance
|
50 barangays benefited
|
Distribution
of vegetable seeds to 4Ps beneficiaries
|
26 barangays benefited
|
School Garden
|
|
Distribution
of vegetable seeds to school heads
|
16 schools benefited
|
Farming machinery and equipment
Some farming equipment and machinery are based in and maintained by the communities. The Tramline in Amtic functions like a cable car. Farmers use this equipment to transport heavy loads of vegetables conveniently.
 |
| The Tramline in Amtic helps farmers conveniently transport vegetables instead of walking long distances while carrying heavy loads. Photo courtesy of CAO. |
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| The 4WD tractor (left) is utilized in preparing land for planting crops. The village-type corn cob dryer is a postharvest machinery located at Bonga, Ligao City. Photo courtesy of CAO |
Aside from farming machinery and equipment, Ligao has also established irrigation canals to divert water resources such as rain water into agricultural lands which are prone to drought.
Growing efforts
Ligao’s commendable agricultural services and programs to farmers and local residents is a product of collaborative efforts of dedicated people. The CAO team, headed by City Agriculturist Cesar Sodsod, is continuously building capacities to further enhance the delivery of services and programs.
CAO partners with community-based organizations like the Barangay Agriculture and Fishery Council (BAFC), Rural Improvement Club (RIC), 4H Clubs which consist of young farmers and out-of-school youths, and other local organizations.
 |
CAO partners with community-based organizations in implementing agricultural programs and services.
Photo courtesy of CAO
|
The DA-RFU5, Provincial Agricultural Services Office, Philippine Rice Research Institute-Bicol and other agencies are also taking part in developing agricultural programs in Ligao.
Written by Lala Peñafiel
__________
1
Data are based on the Quarterly Physical Report of Operations (June 2014) of
CAO. Values under Performance are based on the consolidated values from the
first, second, and third quarter data of 2014.
References:
2013 Year-End Assessment. City Agriculture Office. Ligao
City, Albay
Quarterly Physical Report of Operations For the Quarter Ending June 2014. City Agriculture Office. Ligao City, Albay
2 Site Specific Nutrient Management.
Retrieved at http://knowledgebank.irri.org/ericeproduction/IV.4_SSNM.htm
Resource persons:
P. Sodsod, City Agriculturist, City Agriculture Office
Michelle Odoño, Agricultural Technologist, City Agriculture Office
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