Once a home for insurgency and armed conflict, Sitio Kapihan in Malabog, Paquibato District, Davao City now proved to be a productive agricultural area as the farmer-beneficiaries here market their first harvest of Adlay and generate income from it.
Members of the leftist group in this area were able to surrender and set a peaceful life with the help of the Phillippine Army, the LGU, and agencies under the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC).
As a participating agency of RTF-ELCAC, the Department of Agriculture-XI (DA-XI) through its Research Division has provided production support and technical services to these farmers to help them produce their own food and open doors for market opportunities.
“We want to address the root cause of insurgency and armed conflict which is poverty. It is in line with the whole of nation approach because in farming there is participation from local constituents. This is reforming thru farming,” said DA-XI Research chief Melani Provido.
She said that they introduced Adlay because it only needs low maintenance and can thrive even in a challenging environment thus, it does not require intensive chemical use.
Provido added that DA-XI made sure that farmer-beneficiaries are guided from the provision of inputs up to the marketing of their produce.
“From the 10 kg Adlay seeds we have provided to the Kapihan Farmers Association, they were able to harvest and sell 500 kg of Adlay seeds to a local buyer for P26,000,” she said.
Kapihan Farmers Association chairman Jonyben A. Cuizon said that with the help they have received, the government has regained the trust of the people especially those members from the leftist group.
“On behalf of our association, we thank you for giving us a chance to live with a clear and deeper purpose in life and to be better members of a productive community,” said Cuizon.
Meanwhile, Adlay focal Merly Salaver has encouraged both farmers and consumers to try Adlay as an alternative to rice and corn.
“Adlay is a healthy staple and good for those who are following strict diet because of its high protein, energy kilocalories, and low glycemic index which is good especially for those who are dealing with diabetes,” said Salaver.
She added that unlike other crops, Adlay is resistant to pests and diseases and farmers can harvest twice in one cropping unlike rice and corn.
On his part, 1Lt John Alvin P, Maunahan from the 27th Infantry Battalion, 10th Infantry Division, PA said that continuous effort is in place to make sure that the community will continue to thrive.
“We thank DA-XI as an active partner in empowering communities and in developing a culture of peace,” said Maunahan. # # # (Celso Campos Vergara /DA-RFO XI, RAFIS)
