The Department of Agriculture in Ilocos Region through its Corn Banner Program recently conducted a field day on its 50-hectare model corn area established in Brgy. Rajal, Balungao, Pangasinan.
The project was established in September 2020, in collaboration with the Local Government Unit of Balungao, under the leadership of Mayor Ma. Theresa R. Peralta, other DA attached agencies and private corn seed companies. It aims to promote modern farm facilities in corn production while teaching farmer-cooperators new production technologies in corn through the clustering approach.
In his message during the field day activity, Field Operations Chief Dr. Florentino Adame, representing DA-RFO I Regional Executive Director Nestor D. Domenden, highlighted the importance of clustering and consolidation of farms in various priority commodities in the region as part of the component of the OneDA approach to address food security in the country.
The Mechanization Program which form part of the component of the 50-hectare model farm, according to Dr. Adame, is a great avenue for farmers to adapt farm technologies especially on the use of modern facilities and equipment such as the corn planter and harvester for a cost-effective corn farming techniques.
He likewise emphasized the importance of Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) for farmers especially in availing of DA’s interventions as this serves as basis of the DA in giving interventions such as production inputs like seeds, fertilizers, including assistance on farm machineries and equipment as well as capability trainings and seminars.
Finding hope on the repopulation program of DA on hogs, corn farmers will also benefit on this program with the expected increase in demand for corn feeds.
Dr. Adame also announced the conduct of a seminar-workshop for the LGUs and corn farmers in the province to finalize their planting and harvesting targets.
Meanwhile, Balungao Mayor Ma. Teresa Peralta expressed gratitude to the Department of Agriculture in the Region for choosing the municipality of Balungao as a showcase of corn technologies through the corn model farm giving the town an opportunity to be known as one of the major corn producers in the region.
Atty. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, former Pangasinan 6th District representative and wife of current Congressman of the 6th District of Pangasinan, Cong. Tyrone Agabas, also joined the DA and LGU officials during the field day where she reiterated the Congressman’s full support on the development of agriculture not only for Balungao town but for the whole 6th district of Pangasinan.
