A Quarterly Publicaon of Extension & Technical Services Division Jul –Sep 2018 Volume 15-2018 Issue No. 50 It’s the time of the year once again when the prestigious Gawad Saka Awards is honoring the best achievements in the field of agriculture. Definitely one highly-anticipated event, this grand search is being looked forward to annually, with sugarcane as one of the most hotly-contested categories. In review, past winners were simply the so-called “cream-of-the-crop” who were still able to register impressive production in spite of the odds. They may have faced challenges and stumbling blocks along the way but they overcame such through sheer determination, hard work, focus and positive disposition. This truly makes them worthy of the recognition. This year, there are only two nominees who are vying for the prestigious title of “Outstanding Sugarcane Farmer.” The one hails from Cagayan and the other is from Batangas. Each is eligible for the title but as in any competition, only one winner can be declared. As the deliberation heats up, let’s get to know the distinguished nominees: A True Farmer By Heart RAMON S. BUNUAN (San Jose, Tuao, Cagayan) Ramon was born in Taribubu, Tuao, Cagayan and fourth of nine siblings. Born to farmer parents, he practically grew up in the farm. At a young age, he already envisioned that in the farm, there is income. He took up Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Major in Agronomy and Minor in Animal Husbandry) at the Northern Luzon State College of Agriculture in Piat, Cagayan and graduated in 1982. After his marriage to Edna Tamayao, Ramon applied for a casual post at the Department of Agriculture Regional Crop Protection Center in Ilagan, Isabela but resigned after two months since he wanted to be with his wife. At first, his father gave him 1.2 hectares of their agricultural land to farm in which he applied his knowledge in the field. Fortunately, he was able to make his farm productive where he grew assorted vegetables, monggo and rice plants. That was just the beginning since in 1985, Ramon was a recipient of the DAR land distribution program in which he was given 3 hectares. He planted it with hybrid corn, monggo and assorted vegies. Again, it became productive. Ramon’s maiden venture into sugarcane farming was in 2006, taking advantage of the 3 hectare-land he received from DAR. He begun with 2 hectares. He sought the advice of experienced sugarcane farmers and technological experts in their area. He officially joined the NORFARCO as member to enjoy its benefits. He visited successful farms, notably those of previous Gawad Saka Outstanding Sugarcane Farmers winners. He also attended seminars conducted by the Sugar Regulatory Administration, Cagayan Robina Sugar Milling Corporation (CARSUMCO), planters’ associations, Department of Agriculture and private companies. In 2010, he was able to buy four hectares of additional areas for his sugarcane farming. He bought three hectares in San Juan, Tuao and another one hectare in Kinama, Kalinga. In 2016, he again bought 1.5 hectares and planted it with sugarcane. As of 2017, he has a total of 8.5 hectares of sugarcane farms. Because of his experienced success, he further expanded his area to five hectares with a total of 13.5 hectares as of now. From his profit he was able to buy a four-wheeled heavy tractor, two harvesters, three hand tractors, one passenger jeepney and a Ford Ranger pick-up. Ramon is not only a model farmer but a dedicated public servant as well. From 2010-2014, he served as Barangay Captain in their area. Considering all the blessings that he has, the nominee is a generous fellow as he lends financial assistance to farm laborers and attends to their needs without interest. He is also compassionate to those living below poverty line and extends them monetary aid. The Risk Taker ARNEL PANGANIBAN (Bgy, Santol, Balayan, Batangas) Born on January 25, 1973, Engr. Arnel Panganiban is the second child of Mr. Gabriel Panganiban and Ms. Concordia Apasan Panganiban. They are both public elementary school teachers at the Santiago de Guzman Elementary School in Brgy. Malibu, Tuy, Batangas, where Arnel took his primary education. At a young age, he was already engaged in sugarcane farming through his grandfather (in his mother’s side) who owns a (Continued on p. 5) 2018 GAWAD SAKA OUTSTANDING SUGARCANE FARMER NOMINEES
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2018 GAWAD SAKA OUTSTANDING SUGARCANE FARMER …€¦ · his sugarcane farming. He bought three hectares in San Juan, Tuao and another one hectare in Kinama, Kalinga. In 2016, he
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- 1 Jul –Sep 2018
A Quarterly Publication of Extension & Technical Services Division Jul –Sep 2018
Volume 15-2018 Issue No. 50
It’s the time of the year once again when the prestigious Gawad Saka Awards is honoring the best achievements in the field of agriculture. Definitely one highly-anticipated event, this grand search is being looked forward to annually, with sugarcane as one of the most hotly-contested categories. In review, past winners were simply the so-called “cream-of-the-crop” who were still able to register impressive production in spite of the odds. They may have faced challenges and stumbling blocks along the way but they overcame such through sheer determination, hard work, focus and positive disposition. This truly makes them worthy of the
recognition.
This year, there are only two nominees who are vying for the prestigious title of “Outstanding Sugarcane Farmer.” The one hails from Cagayan and the other is from Batangas. Each is eligible for the title but as in any competition, only one winner can be declared. As the deliberation heats up, let’s get to know the
distinguished nominees:
A True Farmer By Heart
RAMON S. BUNUAN (San Jose, Tuao, Cagayan)
Ramon was born in Taribubu, Tuao, Cagayan and fourth of nine siblings. Born to farmer parents, he practically grew up in the farm. At a young age, he already envisioned that in the
farm, there is income.
He took up Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Major in Agronomy and Minor in Animal Husbandry) at the Northern Luzon State College of Agriculture in Piat, Cagayan and graduated in 1982. After his marriage to Edna Tamayao, Ramon applied for a casual post at the Department of Agriculture Regional Crop Protection Center in Ilagan, Isabela but resigned after two months since he wanted to
be with his wife.
At first, his father gave him 1.2 hectares of their agricultural land to farm in which he applied his knowledge in the field. Fortunately, he was able to make his farm productive where he grew assorted vegetables, monggo and rice plants. That was just the beginning since in 1985, Ramon was a recipient of the DAR land distribution program in which he was given 3 hectares. He planted it with hybrid corn, monggo and assorted vegies. Again, it became
productive.
Ramon’s maiden venture into sugarcane farming was in 2006, taking advantage of the 3 hectare-land he received from DAR. He begun with 2 hectares. He sought the advice of experienced sugarcane farmers and technological experts in their area. He officially joined the NORFARCO as member to enjoy its benefits. He visited successful farms, notably those of previous Gawad Saka Outstanding Sugarcane Farmers winners. He also attended seminars conducted by the Sugar Regulatory Administration, Cagayan Robina Sugar Milling Corporation (CARSUMCO), planters’ associations, Department of Agriculture and private
companies.
In 2010, he was able to buy four hectares of additional areas for his sugarcane farming. He bought three hectares in San Juan, Tuao and another one hectare in Kinama, Kalinga. In 2016, he again bought 1.5 hectares and planted it with sugarcane. As of 2017, he has a total of 8.5 hectares of sugarcane farms. Because of his experienced success, he further expanded his area to five hectares with a total of 13.5 hectares as of now. From his profit he was able to buy a four-wheeled heavy tractor, two harvesters, three hand tractors, one passenger jeepney and a Ford Ranger
pick-up.
Ramon is not only a model farmer but a dedicated public servant as well. From 2010-2014, he served as Barangay Captain in their area. Considering all the blessings that he has, the nominee is a generous fellow as he lends financial assistance to farm laborers and attends to their needs without interest. He is also compassionate to those living below poverty line and extends
them monetary aid.
The Risk Taker
ARNEL PANGANIBAN (Bgy, Santol, Balayan, Batangas)
Born on January 25, 1973,
Engr. Arnel Panganiban is the
second child of Mr. Gabriel
Panganiban and Ms. Concordia
Apasan Panganiban. They are
both public elementary school
teachers at the Santiago de
Guzman Elementary School in
Brgy. Malibu, Tuy, Batangas,
where Arnel took his primary
education. At a young age, he was already engaged in sugarcane
farming through his grandfather (in his mother’s side) who owns a
(Continued on p. 5)
2018 GAWAD SAKA OUTSTANDING SUGARCANE FARMER NOMINEES
- 2 Jul –Sep 2018
FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAINING: GIVING
THE SOCIALIZED CREDIT PROGRAM A
MUCH STRONGER BOOST
One of the main goals of the Sugar Regulatory
Administration is to help its stakeholders by
improving the plight of the sugarcane farmers when it
comes to the aspect of livelihood. This has always
been one of the agency’s driving forces ever since
Engineer Hermenegildo Serafica stepped in as the new
administrator. One way which this can be achieved is
through the Sugarcane Industry Development Act or
SIDA which was enacted in 2015.
Through said program, farmers will be provided with
the necessary allocation for the continuous production
of sugarcane through the Socialized Credit Program.
In line with its implementation, SRA tapped the Land
Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and the Agricultural
Training Institute to render a seminar to all Mill
District Officers on how to avail both the Socialized
Credit and Financial Literacy Training on February
27, 2018 at the SRA Social Hall.
Representatives from both LBP and ATI were invited
as resource speakers. It was learned in said seminar
that there are 16 different regional/satellite training
centers all over the country that provide these trainings
for free. SIDA’s background and program features
were highlighted in the activity such as: loanable
amount, interest rates, management fees, and other
charges. Also cited were: collaterals, guarantee,
surety, insurance and the additional terms and
conditions for the proper release of the budget. The
minimum acceptance criteria and the documentary
requirements from both SRA and LBP were discussed
as well.
During the open forum, it was discovered that ATI can
provide a trainers’ training for selected SRA personnel
and certify them as resource speakers. This paved the
way for the Extension Services Division of Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao to hold a joint training on
Financial Literacy at the Luzon Agricultural Research
and Extension Center on June 5-7, 2018.
Aptly titled, “How Money Works!” the training had a
team from ATI Region III as resource speakers. The
course aimed to equip the participants on the basics of
Financial Literacy on agri-enterprises and formulate
an action plan to implement the SRA-LBP Socialized
Credit Program.
After attending the seminar, the MDO’s and their
Junior Agriculturists who are now equipped on the
basics of Financial Literacy are expected to re-echo
the action plans to their respective mill districts. The
training on said topic is an important requirement for
the implementation of the Socialized Credit Program
under SIDA. As SRA’s frontline service providers, the
seminar would equip and turn the participants into
certified trainers. They are expected to cascade the
knowledge they would learn to the grassroots level
having direct contact with the clientele. Through this,
the Socialized Credit Program will get a much
stronger boost.
Included topics in the training module which the
MDO’s and Junior Agriculturists can use in their
actual seminars are: “Filipino Values: Its Importance
to Successful Agri-Enterprises”, “Overview and
Significance of Financial Literacy”, “Business Cycle
and Characteristics of a Successful Agri-Enterprise”,
“Calculating Land Holdings”, “Cash and Credit
Management”, “Creating a Simple Budget”, “Getting
and Managing a Loan”, “Importance of Records”,
“Using Records to Make Decisions” and “Personal
Entrepreneurial Competencies.”
In the following months, some of the mill districts
have already conducted their own Financial Literacy
trainings
Tarlac mill district
participants.
Bukidnon mill district participants.
- 3 Jul –Sep 2018
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) through its
Extension Services Division and in collaboration with the
Department of Agrarian Reform (Tarlac) recently held a three
-day OPSI training for block farm members in the Tarlac Mill
District on September 26-28, 2018 at the Luzon Agricultural
Research and Extension Center in Floridablanca,
Pampanga.
LAREC OIC Mr. Laverne Olalia officially welcomed the
participants after which, Tarlac Mill District Officer Mr. Joel
Ronario recognized and presented the participants and
guests. On their part, Ms. Precy Landingin, PARPO I, DAR-
Tarlac expressed excitement and enthusiasm on the seminar
which aims to broaden their knowledge on sugarcane
growing and its related topics.
Day One officially started with Mr. Ronario’s reporting of the
Tarlac Mill District’s performance in which he highlighted the:
productivity across farm sizes, variety picture, productivity
constraints in the area, action programs and the number of
SRA-initiated Block Farms.
Next to take the floor was Ms. Rosemarie Gumera, OIC,
Office of the Deputy Administrator, RDE who talked about
the SRA and its SIDA projects. She explained SRA’s two
major functions namely, Regulatory and RDE. Under the
former, the agency is tasked to maintain a balance of supply
and domestic sugar requirement and formulate policies on
the production and allocation of sugar. As for the latter, she
emphasized the important role of OPSI which is being
undertaken by the Extension Service in obtaining higher
yield.
On SIDA projects, there’s Block Farming, rapid propagation
of HYV’s, the infrastructure programs, scholarship program
(in which it was learned that SRA has funded 54 scholars),
socialized credit program (in which it was pointed out that
there should be no duplication in the aid granted) and
industry challenges.
The next speaker was Mr. Arnold de Castro of the
Regulation Department who discussed the following topics:
1) Systems in Regulating Sugar; 2) Sugar Policy; 3)
Classifications of Raw Sugar; 4) Monitor Sugar Production
and Withdrawals; and 5) Conduct of Physical Inventory of
Warehouses.
Following him was Ms. Evelyn Estanislao, Block Farm
Coordinator (L & M) who handled the topic on the SIDA-
Block Farming Project. Ms. Estansialo entertained some
queries after her thorough discussion. One common
question that arose was on how to be a member of the Block
Farm. It was pointed out that the potential group be
endorsed first by the MDDC. Another issue raised was if the
group can avail of SRA’s farm mechanization since DAR has
no budget already. They can, but still, they have to undergo
the accreditation process.
It was evident in the class picture that participants are happy with the turnout of the 3-day OPSI training.
Continued on p. 4
- 4 Jul –Sep 2018
The following day started with a field tour of the participants
as assisted by Mr. Nestor Guiyab. They were toured around
LAREC, made to see some planted varieties plus the tractors
and implements being used. It was really one educational
and informative experience for everybody.
Next came Sr. Science Research Specialist Ms. Vina
Serrano’s lecture on “Sugarcane Breeding/Varieties Suitable
to the District.” She highlighted the commercial hybrid
breeding program, variety improvement, production
technology, crop management, methods of propagation and
the micro-propagation process. As for the varieties suitable
for the Tarlac Mill District, recommended were: Phil 2025-
0055, VMC 87-599 and VMC 84-524 (PS3).
Sr. Agriculturist Mr. Adel Catuira followed suit with his topic
on “Understanding the Sugarcane Plant.” The participants
were all-ears to the discussion in which they learned that the
top 1/3 of the stalk contains many buds and with good
nutrient supply, is very good for use for seed. The lower 2/3
of the stalk meanwhile is high in sucrose. It was also
stressed that the eye of the sugarcane on both sides should
be considered for better germination. One participant also
inquired if the milling is free to which, the answer is no since
there’s a 67-33 planter-miller share.
The next lecturer was Mr. Joel Ronario who spoke about the
“Requirements in Establishing a Nursery Farm.” The
attendees learned the definition of the agricultural jargon
PSTC which means Picul Sugar Ton Cane and that 1 Picul is
equivalent to 1 Ton or 63.25 kilos. One issue that floated as
well during the discussion was on the density of the nursery
which is 40,000 cane points per hectare. A participant also
asked about the advantage of applying chicken manure
which is a good source of nitrogen.
For the day’s last topic, Mr. Catuira took the floor again
afterwards to discuss “Sugarcane Technology for Climate
Change Adaptation in which participants learned the
definition and negative effects of Global Warming on
sugarcane growing.
Science Research Specialist Ms. Agnes Casupanan was the
opening salvo on the third and last training day. She
discussed the topic on “Pests and Diseases” which was so
entertaining and informative. Mr. Benjamin Manlapaz, Sr.
Science Research Specialist also added some knowledge
through his lecture on “Practical Sugarcane Cultivation.” Ditto
for Ms. Dyna Tienda, Science Research Specialist who
tackled the topic on “The Process of Milling Cane into
Sugar.” She shared that SRA has no power to impose
penalties on environmental concerns, only to assist and
deliver services.
Before the program came to a wrap, the SRA pool of
speakers staged a mini-consultation among the participants
for their needs assessment. In the end, the following factors
cropped up: farm mechanization (120 horse power tractor),