The Visayas State University (VSU) under the administration of Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo devoted a special day to honor the unsung heroes of Philippine agriculture—the farmers and fisherfolks in Eastern Visayas. The tribute was held during the Farmers and Fisherfolks’ Day on August 11, 2014 at the VSU Convention Hall on the occasion of the 90^th VSU Founding Anniversary as an institution.

Guided by its theme “Upland Agriculture: Unlocking its Potentials for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience,” the ceremony kicked-off with a parade around the VSU Lower Campus. It was participated in by some 2,000 farmers and fisherfolks from various farmers organizations throughout Eastern Visayas and Central Visayas regions, namely: Cabintan Livelihood Community Association in Cabintan, Ormoc City; Cambantog Integrated Green Environment Farmers’ Association in Lake Danao, Ormoc City; Lake Danao Community Association, Ormoc City; Lake Danao Farmers’ Association, Ormoc City; Patag, Gabas, Guadalupe Farmers’ Association in Baybay City; Brgy. Marcos Fisherfolks’ Association, Baybay City; Brgy. Marcos Farmers’ Association, Baybay City; Brgy. Hipusngo Farmers and Fisherfolks’ Association, Baybay City; Baybay Dairy Cooperative, Baybay City; Baybay Farmers’ Association, Baybay City; City Agricultural Fishery Council, Baybay City; Brgy. Makinhas Officials and Farmers, Baybay City; Villaconzoilo Community Association in Jaro, Leyte; and Brgy. Tongonan Kananga Community Association in Kananga, Leyte.

Other farmers’ organizations who were not able to participate in the parade included those from the municipalities of Silago, Bontoc, Macrohon, San Juan, and Sogod—all in Southern Leyte; Tudela, Pilar, and Poro in Camotes Island, Cebu; Bohol; and Samar Island.

The major highlight of the affair was to give recognition to the 2014 Ugmad Award Outstanding Farmer-Entrepreneur, Outstanding Vegetable Farmer, Outstanding Livestock Farmer, and Outstanding Farmers’ Association among the nominees from all over Region VIII.

The University, in cooperation with other government and private companies, accorded plaques of recognition and cash or in-kind awards to the winners of the different categories.

The recipient of the 2014 (Ugmad Award) Outstanding Farmer-Entrepreneur is Mr. Bendicar D. Gerona of Brgy. Buac Gamay, Sogod, Southern Leyte “For his innovativeness, hard work and determination to increase productivity and profitability in his farm. He initially started tilling two hectares which eventually grew to a five-hectare farmstead owing to his entrepreneurship and diligence. A farmer with a knack for planning and entrepreneurship, he participates in agri-aqua fairs and garden shows giving him opportunities to learn and also market his produce. He shows a remarkable concern for the environment by adopting organic farming and ecologically-sound pest management practices. Despite his success as a farmer, he continues to learn and is very willing to share his knowledge with his fellow farmers. As farmer-cooperator for field trials, his farm has become a model for other farmers. Mr. Gerona is a perfect example of the new breed of successful farmer-entrepreneurs who can prove that farming is a highly rewarding vocation.”

Mr. Gerona received a plague from VSU and a cash award of PhP20,000 from the provincial government of Leyte through Gov. Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla.

The East-West Seed Company, Inc. awarded the 2014 Outstanding Vegetable Farmer to Mr. Romeo V. Mazo of Brgy. Kansungka, Baybay City, Leyte “For exemplifying innovativeness, hard work and determination to make his three-hectare land a productive vegetable farm. Concerned about the environment, he started abandoning conventional farming practices and adopted an organic farming system. His hard work and good entrepreneurial skills have brought him enough profits to acquire additional farm plots. His success in vegetable production also paved the way to his election as an officer of the Baybay Farmers’ Association where he continuously shares his knowledge and wisdom to other farmers. Mr. Mazo is a highly successful vegetable farmer who continues to innovate and find ways to help his fellow farmers.”

Mr. Mazo received a plaque and a cash award of PhP15,000 from the East-West Seed Company, Inc. through its Sales and Marketing Head, Mr. Gerardo P. Domingo.

VSU and the Univet Nutrition and Animal Health Care Company (UNAHCO) presented the 2014 Outstanding Livestock Farmer Award to Ms. Marilyn D. Legaspi of Sitio Manloy, Mapgap, Baybay City, Leyte “For her innovative and environment-friendly farming practices that transformed her small 100-layer egg production venture into a 70,000 broiler farm. Her innovations included transforming the original improvised poultry house that she started with into a huge sturdy air-conditioned building with automated equipment for feeding and watering and an innovative waste management technology that helps control bad smell and flies. The farm wastes are given to fellow farmers for their use. A trained accountant, she acknowledges that her success was achieved with the help of a private corporate partner who encouraged and helped her learn and succeed in poultry farming. Ms. Legaspi is a farmer-entrepreneur who has shown that even with a different professional background one can succeed in poultry farming which makes her a good example to other farmers.”

Ms. Legaspi received a plaque and products worth PhP15,000 from UNAHCO through Mr. Glenn L. Ibañez, the Technical Director.

On the other hand, the University and the Plan International bestowed the 2014 Outstanding Farmers’ Association to the Villaconzoilo Community Association (VILCOA) of Villaconzoilo, Jaro, Leyte “For outstanding leadership, unity, hard work, and entrepreneurship as an organization which helped raise their productivity and incomes even with marginal resources and minimal initial support from the government. Despite the harsh agroclimatic conditions in the uplands. VILCOA has demonstrated that upland agriculture can be productive and profitable as a solution to poverty through the adoption of sound environmental practices such as use of organic fertilizers and pesticides and soil conservation technologies such as contour farming. In addition, good marketing practices, internal capital formation, member protection through group insurance and organizational development trainings have fostered strong member participation and group cohesion. With only 38 members, VILCOA’s financial assets have grown to a million pesos and various external partners who have seen their organizational potentials have started to provide support to their programs and projects.

VILCOA’s success is an example of how good leadership, organizational cohesion, hard work and dedication, viable income generating projects and strong government support, can make a farmers’ organization become a potent force for rural development. VILCOA is an outstanding model for aspiring farming groups and communities, which capitalizes only on their fortitude and unity to make the best of their marginal resource base. Lately, VILCOA has demonstrated that even after typhoons Yolanda and Glenda devastated their area, a strong organization is able to rise from the devastation and be productive again through unity and cooperation.”

VILCOA received two knapsack sprayers worth more than PhP15,000 from Mr. Erwin G. Cachuela, Provincial Coordinator of Plan International.

Nevertheless, all finalists in the different categories received certificates from VSU.

The different awardees were selected based on the following criteria: Innovativeness (30%), Productivity (30%), Community Leadership (20%), and Environmental Concerns (20%), for a total of 100%.

This year’s Ugmad Search Committee is composed of Prof. Efren B. Saz, chairperson; Dr. Alfredo B. Escasinas, Prof. Reny G. Gerona, Dr. Milagros C. Bales, Dr. Humberto R. Monters, Jr., Dr. Ana Marquiza M. Quilicot, Prof. Arsenio D. Ramos, and Ms. Adelina O. Carreno, as members.

The awards were distributed by the sponsoring agencies together with the VSU President Jose L. Bacusmo, Leyte Vice Governor Carlo P. Loreto, and VP for Research and Extension Othello B. Capuno.

Prior to the awarding ceremonies, the farmers and fisherfolks forum took place to give way to the farmers and fisherfolks to air their concerns especially on upland agriculture, climate change adaptation and resilience. Dr. Eduardo O. Mangaoang, professor of forestry, had a presentation on Climate Change Agriculture and Natural Resources as a prelude to the open forum. The panel of VSU experts composed of Dr. Victor B. Asio, Dr. Beta C. Ratilla, Dr. E. O. Mangaoang, Dr. Luz O. Moreno, Dr. Lolito C. Bestil, Dr. Zenaida C. Gonzaga, Prof. Tess C. Nuñez, and Dr. Marcelo A. Quevedo responded to some queries raised by the participants.

The Visayas State University through its President, Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo, and the Santeh Feeds Corporation through its President, Mr. Phillip L. Ong, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would provide opportunity to both parties to venture in any development initiatives including technologies in relation to aquaculture and swine production. The MOU was signed on August 13, 2014 at the PhilRootcrops Training Hall in the presence of VP for Research and Extension Othello B. Capuno, Director for Research Rosa Ophelia D. Velarde, PhilRootcrops’ Central Analytical Services Laboratory In-charge Cynthia Dolores V. Godoy, and Mr. Fred Yap of Santeh.

Santeh Feeds Corporation, a stock corporation duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines with principal address at 601 West Trade Center, 132 West Avenue, Quezon City, as a progressive and innovative feed miller engaged in the production of aquaculture feeds, livestock feeds and pet feeds is always in the lookout for new technologies and laboratory facilities that can help improve its product lines and services; and promotes sustainable aquaculture and the natural system of swine raising and through its direct contact with the industry has a human resource complement with practical know-how in aquaculture and in the natural system of piggery.

Santeh acknowledges VSU’s expertise in various areas in agriculture, animal science, and food technology; and its strong thrust towards research and development with laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and instrumentation.

As a result of their mutual covenants, both parties agreed on the following responsibilities:

VSU shall make its analytical and research laboratories available to Santeh for the analysis of feedstuff as well as for product development on a pre-agreed schedule and cost; VSU faculty and staff shall be available to Santeh for consultation and contract research on pre-agreed areas of specialization and study at a pre-agreed timetable and remuneration for services rendered; and shall accept Santeh staff for training in specialized laboratory procedures as maybe useful to Santeh operation.

Santeh, on the other hand, shall provide VSU with the ready to build designs for swine raising facilities for instructional and research purposes using the natural hog raising system as well as the design for a state of the art swine breeding facility with its staff to assist VSU in the construction and initial operation of the said swine raising and breeding facilities; shall assist VSU in establishing a tilapia-hatchery and nursery in its main campus using practical designs it has been exposed to in the industry; and shall arrange for the visits by VSU staff to established piggery using the natural system as well as to commercial swine breeding facilities and to commercial tilapia hatchery-nursery establishments as may be required.

The MOU took effect immediately upon signing and shall remain in full force until terminated by both or either parties with justifiable reasons and 30 day notice to the other party.

On the occasion of the 90^th Founding Anniversary of the Visayas State University in Baybay City, Leyte, the University invited the Executive Director of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Dr. Asterio P. Saliot, to give the inspirational message during the Farmers and Fisherfolks’ Day in the morning of August 11, 2014 at the VSU Convention Hall.

In the presence of some 2,000 farmers and fisherfolks from the different parts of Region VII and Region VIII, Director Saliot expounded his message based on the theme “Upland Agriculture: Unlocking its Potentials for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience.”

The ATI Director lauded VSU through Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo, University President, “for initiating the historical event for our farmers and fisherfolks who are the food providers of our country.”

Dr. Saliot emphasized that since he took the leadership of ATI, he faced so many challenges and has to be visible to the farmers. “Nobody is to be blamed for some failures of ATI in giving services to our people except myself being the one responsible for our agency,” he lamented.  Saliot added that we should not let our future be controlled by other people, but rather we must be the controller of our future.  

Director Saliot also presented some of the programs launched by ATI after a year of serving as head of the agency.   These include the following: the International Standard Organization (ISO) Certification for Transparency for those who want to learn what ATI is doing, how the agency spends the funds allocated, and how its personnel work; the Electronic Extension Program in 2007, the only and the first-ever government institution throughout the country to be recognized by the US Department of Agriculture in which they try to become the electronic hub of Asia and the Pacific; the Farmers Contact Center that would enable the farmers to contact, through free text, to their agency; the Electronic Trading in tandem with the Department of Agriculture being pushed by Secretary Proceso Alcala, where farmers can sell their products in the Trading Post for traceability of the quality of the products being sold; Schools for Practical Agriculture where the farmers can learn different technologies from their fellow farmers; From Arms to Farms wherein it opens its door to the rebels who are willing and interested to adopt the programs of the government; and the ladderized course on Agri-Entrepreneurship Scholarship Program for out-of-school youth offered in tri-mester wherein the youth shall undergo formal classroom instruction during the first month of the first semester in the university and the remaining three months of the same semester shall be devoted to hands-on experience and learn first-hand information from the farmers right in the farmer’s farm site for them to appreciate the beauty and importance of farming.

We, at ATI, cannot dictate what you want in farming, rather we give technologies, knowledge and information for you to make the right decision intended for your farming activities,” Dr. Saliot averred. He added that the farmers can now choose from different menus in our program the different technologies they can use and adopt which are applicable to their own means of livelihood.

Dr. Saliot further said that through the electronic extension program, our agricultural technicians will learn more other things to develop and strengthen self-confidence, increase their knowledge, and to give extra services to our farmers and fishermen. Moreover, he revealed that the online farming initiated by ATI would enable the Overseas Filipino Workers to invest in agriculture and fishery in our country.

The ATI Director also assured the farmers and the farmer leaders that they will help them through training and upgrading the knowledge that they have for them to become competent teachers to their fellow farmers and to the young people who don’t like farming for them to realize that there is money in agriculture.

VSU President Jose L. Bacusmo, together with Baybay City Mayor Carmen L. Cari, Leyte Vice Governor Carlo P. Loreto, and VSU’s VP for Research and Extension Othello B. Capuno, presented a plaque of recognition to Dr. Saliot “For sharing his valuable time and wisdom to farmers and fisherfolks of Eastern Visayas during the Farmers and Fisherfolks’ Day 2014, and for his strong commitment and contribution to VSU’s research and extension programs that helped improve the quality of life of small farmers and fisherfolks in the District.”

The occasion was made more meaningful with the presence of some dignitaries who are avid supporters of VSU by giving their congratulatory messages to the Institution for its 90 years of faithful and dedicated services to its major clientele—the small Visayan farmers. These included: Vice Gov. C. P. Loreto who also spoke on behalf of Gov. Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla, Baybay Mayor C. L. Cari who also brought the message of 5^th District Congressman Jose Carlos L. Cari, Ms. Nina Cecilia C. Amazona from the office of Senator Cynthia Villar, and ATI Region 8 Director Vilma M. Patindol.

The activity and the rest of the anniversary activities were being covered live by the VSU FM Radio Station DYDC; and the “Asenso Pinoy”, a TV Show hosted by Mr. Francis Cardona broadcasted over ABS-CBN Sports+Action (Channel 23) every Saturday at 6:30AM and in People’s Television (PTV4) every Sunday at 11:30AM.