Ormoc’s upland farmers get boost from local, int’l donors

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, Feb. 26 (PNA) -- Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Jaroslav Olsa Jr. led the formal turnover of a protected cultivation project to Cabingtan Livelihood Association (Calcoa) on Thursday. 

The project is located on almost three hectares of land in the mountain Cabingtan village, 23.7 kilometers from the city center.

The project was originally initiated in 2012 by the Energy Development Corp. which built 24 units high type and 30 units low type protective tunnels. Calcoa plants different varieties of vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, etc.

Built from ultraviolet (UV) filtering plastic, a passable tunnel is a structure for crop protection by creating an optimal microclimate. Its main purpose is to protect the crops from direct rainfall to reduce weeds drastically.

It also shields the crops from wind and provides protection from harmful UV. 

The structures reduce costs and improve yields by avoiding leaching of fertilizers and enable the proper application of pesticides. The ample space of the tunnels allows farmers to work conveniently under the structures and the plants to reach their maximum height potential.

Another innovative technology that was introduced by is the drip system, considered as the most effective irrigation technique by providing the right dosage of water at correct intervals, thus conserving water. It allows the farmer to accurately control water quantities to irrigate as close as possible to the root zone. It also reduces the spread of plant disease as it is applied directly to the soil.

Overall, the combined technology of protective structures and drip system enable farmers to save time and labor on weeding and irrigation. It also maximizes the yields while reducing costs and makes it easier for farmers to attend to their fields regardless of weather conditions.

However, the structures were destroyed when super typhoon Yolanda battered the city on Nov. 8, 2013. 

Fortunately, these were also restored by Germany’s Afos Foundation for Entrepreneurial Development Cooperation which also added 50 structures.

IsraAid entered the picture on November 2014 through its Food Security and Agriculture Livelihood Program, a holistic approach to enhance farmers’ capacity from production to marketing by creating agri-business opportunities. It built 19 more structures which costs USD200 each. The structures have a lifespan of five years.

For the next 16 months, IsraAid provided support and capacity building to Calcoa by introducing technology and knowhow through hands-on training. It deployed an agronomist to guide farmers in cultivation complimented by post-harvest practices and marketing strategies.

The project is made even more successful with funding support from Czech Republic Development Cooperation and Australian Center for International Agricultural Research. Ormoc Chamber of Commerce and Industry will provide marketing support by linking the farmers to institutional buyers to include its members who are hotel and restaurant owners.

Based on the initial success of the project, IsraAid is interested on taking the project further by enhancing farmers’ production ability and connecting them to wider markets. It also plans to turn the site into a demonstration farm where farmers and students learn so they can replicate the model to their own communities. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/FELIX N. CODILLA