.::. BAR Chronicle .::. A monthly publication of the Bureau of Agricultural Research

Vol. 1 No. 9
May 1-15, 2000
Corn-based farming systems project conducts farmers' field day
by Romeo V. Labios, National Corn RDE Network

An experimental project on corn-based technologies conducted its first public viewing through a Farmers' Field Day on 6 April 2000 in Brgys. Mabini and Mangarin in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. The project entitled Enhancing Adaptation and Utilization of Location-Specific Corn-Based Technologies in Major Corn Growing Areas, has six components led by Dr. Romeo V. Labios (FSSRI), Dr. Alberto Y. Robles (DTRI), Dr. Pio A. Javier (NCPC), Ms. Jocelyn D. Labios (FSSRI), Ms. Cynthia M. Medina (FSSRI), and Ms. Elsa Luis (BIOTECH). The whole day affair highlighted the results of one cropping season of the project as well as showcased the technologies being introduced though the project. It was participated in by more than 200 farmers and guests, which included Hon. Josephine Y. Ramirez-Sato, governor of Occidental Mindoro, Hon. Mario Gene J. Mendiola, Mayor of San Jose, other officials of the local government units, municipal agriculturists and technicians of selected municipalities, private companies, STIARC staff, UPLB Staff, and farmers from different barangays of San Jose. Farmers from other towns such as San Isidro, Magsaysay, San Agustin, Sablayan, and as far as Mamburao also came to the field day.

The event was divided into two parts. The mornign activities included the registration, viewing of posters and exhibits, and field visits to various on-farm trials such as On-farm varietal and fertilizer trials, integrated pest management trategies for corn, and Tillage practices in corn-based farming systems. These were located in the farms of selected farmer-partners in barangays Mangarin and Mabini. Farmers and other guests were divided into four groups and were assigned to visit four stations manned by both the farmer-partner and project staff.

herbicide's classification by the FPA and its safety compared to other herbicides. Comments were likewise elicited regarding the potential for expansion of efforts similar to the projects to other barangays and municipalities. There was also a raffle to the delight of the audienceand prizes included BIO-N, organic fertilizers, super sweet variety corn seeds, grafted mango seedlings, shirts and hats courtesy of STIARC, MONSANTO Phils., and UPLB. The program ended with the awarding of the certificates of appreciation and recognition to the farmer-partners and project counterparts. The activity was jointly sponsored by UPLB, DA-BAR, Office of the Mayor, San Jose Occidental Mindoro, Office of the Governor, Occidental Mindoro, Monsanto Phils. Inc., Cargill Seeds Co., and Pioneer Hi-brd Agricultural technology Inc., and Southern Tagalog Integrated Agricultural Research Center.