DA-7 launches new CPAR Project in Siquijor

A multi-storey cropping system with native chicken integration project is on-going in Maria, Siquijor.

The project, under the Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CPAR) is spearheaded by the Research Division of the Department of Agriculture-Central Visayas in coordination with the Provincial Agriculture and Veterinary Office and the local government of Maria, Siquijor.

During the project launching held recently in Barangay Pisong A in Maria, Siquijor, Gregolito Bunado, DA-7's Agricultural Center Chief of the Siquijor Research Development Center (SRDC), said that the project is the second CPAR project implemented in the province. He said that prior to the implementation of a CPAR site; a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) was conducted to assess the farming system situation and problems in the barangay. Based on the PRA result, of the 22 barangays of Maria conducted with PRA, only 2 barangays qualify for the CPAR project.

CPAR is an extension modality and an innovative approach to Research and Development (R&D) that focuses on the verification, demonstration and adoption of agricultural technologies at the community level. Under this, the community members are involved in the testing and in applying new and improved farming practices and technologies.

Bunado said that Barangay Pisong A and B were identified due to its low productivity caused by excessive soil erosion, low soil fertility levels and inappropriate skills in resource management. It also practices mono-cropping system of crops such as coconut, banana, cacao and assorted vegetable which limits their opportunity to gain more profit.

"We are encouraging our farmers to improve their farming practices, part of the practices we will introduce and recommend is intercropping. From a mono crop planting, we recommend the planting of improved coconut seedlings intercropped with banana and improved cacao varieties to increase production and income of the farmers," Bunado added.

Dr. Fabio G. Enriquez, Chief of Research Division of DA 7, said that through this project, farmer-partners will apply the knowledge gained that will help improve their farming practices. And all of this will contribute in the increase in farm production and farmers income.

“For this project, there are 20 farmer-partners (10 per barangay) selected for the demonstration area of technologies," said Enriquez.

Aside from Maria, Siquijor, CPAR project are also implemented in Ubay, Bohol; Valencia, Negros Oriental; and Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor.

The success of the CPAR project lies in the capability and willingness of the farmers to adopt to change.

The activity was attended by representatives of LGU-Maria, Barangay Officials of Pisong A and B, Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA) and Veterinarian (OPV), and DA-7 Research Staff.