Thirty seven Jagna farmers successfully finished the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Kasakalikasan Farmers' Field School (FFS-RICE) and Integrated Rice Technology Demonstration Project (IRTDP) on March 17. The agricultural project which covered a total land area of 1,000 square meters is planted with NSIC Rc 136H (mestiso 7) variety located in sitio Upper Cansuhay in barangay Lonoy. But along side, five other varieties were also planted to include PSB Rc 18, NSIC Rc 128, NSIC Rc 140, NSIC Rc 152 and NSIC Rc 158 respectively. Regional Techno Demo Coordinator Engr. Antonio Du presented to the farmers the rationale of the Participatory Variety Selection (PVS). He then led the farmers to a field tour for the actual varietal preference test among the other five rice varieties. During the variety evaluation, each farmer was given two tags which served as their vote. One tag signified “like” while the other “dislike”. Each farmer discerned and voted while at the field observing the five rice varieties the age of which has almost reached maturity.

Provincial Agriculturist Ms. Liza Quirog in her message commended the Jagna farmers for their industry despite the various challenges that beset the agricultural production. “While the present chaos in the government is now focused on the alleged projected rice shortage due to the El Niño phenomenon, here in Jagna everything seemed fine including the water source of irrigation thus farmers were able to hold a successful activity today”, she said. Ms. Quirog likewise commended the efforts of the Municipal Agriculture Office for the untiring promotion of new hybrid rice seed variety such as the mestiso 7 plus the use of appropriate farming technology as demonstrated to the farmer students cum graduates. Mayor Exuperio Lloren was equally elated for the success of the long season activity especially that several women farmers have also become part of the project. “I am happy to see a GAD sensitive farming activity today because of the involvement of some women farmers this time”, he said.

“I strongly encourage you to sustain your organization and be more united as I promise to you to help facilitate the release of the P1.5 million funds from the Department of Agriculture for your irrigation needs”, the Mayor continued. Towards the end of the morning activity, 15 famer-cooperators plus the 22 additional student farmers, were recognized by giving them certificates for having finished in the wet season IRTDP. In the afternoon, the launching of the E-Learning was made capped with a farmers' forum. Also present in the activity were Vice Mayor Teofisto Pagar, Sr, Councilors Pacheco Rances, Cesar Cagulada, Godofredo Okit, Sr., Jesus Acedillo, Alberto Cabrestante and Andrew Tadena. The mayor's wife Nimfa Abaya-Lloren also graced the affair together with MAO Camilo Rizano, Rice Technician and Emcee Cecile Opada, Amelia Virtudazo, Ana Rhea Araneta and other MAO staff. Dr. Mary Jean Du and Ms. Efieda Castillon likewise gave their technical expertise to the farmers and shed light to the various questions raised.