Inopacan establishes demo farms for jackfruits, vegetables, and tiliapia

Nangka (jackfruit) is among the wonder fruits you can find in the Philippines. Aside from being appetizing it is also considered by dieticians and nutritionists as having great health benefits to humans.  

 
Reprint

Demo farms yield popular jackfruit
This article was originally posted in the Philippine Standard

on October 17, 2016 at 12:01 am by Brenda Jocson


The increasing demand for vacuum-dried and dehydrated jackfruit has led to the establishment of demonstration farms to boost production in Inopacan, Leyte.

The municipality of Inopacan in Leyte has established demonstration farms which include a vegetebake farm, a tiliapia fishpond and two jackfruit farms, Mayor Silvestre Lumarda said.

Lumarda said the farms aim to help the town attain food sufficiency and reduce poverty incidence.

A ceremonial tree planting led by Burgos, Dr. Othello Capuno, VSU vice president for research and development; and representatives from the municipal government Inopacan town marked the launch of the demonstration farms. 

Unripe Nangka (jackfruit) is commonly taken as vegetable. It is often boiled in coconut milk to become a tinunoan nga nangka or kinilaw nga nangka usually with dried fish and shrimps as subak.     

The activity which was participated in by Inopacan Jackfruit Growers Association members was preceded by a series of farm visits and exposure trips by the growers in established vegetable and jackfruit farms.

“These are part of the exposure to experts and ‘experienced’ scheme of building capacities among the grower cooperators of the Inclusive and Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development pilot project,” Burgos added.

The jackfruit farms are in the higher lands of Inopacan town where there is good drainage.

Seedlings were sourced from the Department of Agriculture’s Abuyog Experiment Station in the town of Abuyog in Leyte and will be reimbursed on a “Plant now, Pay later” scheme as agreed upon by the grower-cooperators.

The various demonstration farms were launched on September 28 under the Piloting and Upscaling Effective Models of the ISARD program. 

Ripe nangka (jackfruit) is invitingly fragrant, heavenly sweet and fruity.  It is one of the main ingredients in Pinoy halo-halo. Ripe nangka is best eaten fresh and as is. 

Spearheaded by the Philippine-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, the farms were established with the help of the Visayas State University, the local government of Inopacan and the Visayas Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Program.

Also under the pilot project Strengthening Linkages among Farmers, Government, and Industry Sector through ISARD, the vegetable farm covers a 1,000-square-meter plot and is planted to okra, alugbati and eggplant.

Dr. Bessie Burgos, SEARCA program manager for research and development said the demonstration farm will pilot a low-cost protective cover technology developed through an Australian Center for International Agricultural Research-funded project at VSU, considering the continuous rains experienced in the area. 

The tilapia fishponds were built in sequence along a stream where crystal clear water flowed from a nearby spring.

Through the efforts of Rep. Jose Carlos Cari, fingerlings were introduced by batches starting from June 2016 from a hatchery project of the VSU.

“We are expecting to start harvest in November and bring added income to the local farmers,” Burgos said.

See the original post here



 

Sub-provincial Jail escapee killed by jail guards in Inopacan - Two more escapees still hunted

The place of a shooting incident in Inopacan, Leyte

The following article is a reprint from Manila Bulletin

2 Leyte jail escapees hunted
 

by Nestor L. Abrematea
September 2, 2016

Palo, Leyte — The Leyte Provincial Jail in Barangay Kauswagan, Palo, has launched a manhunt for two inmates who bolted the Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail in Hilongos, Leyte, last August 23.

Leyte Provincial Jail Warden Homobono U. Bardillon identified the escapees as Sonny Costillas and Marlon Obligado.

Bardillon said Costillas is facing murder charge while Obligado has a pending case of car theft before the Regional Trial Court in Hilongos.

He said Costillas, Obligado and a third inmate, Ronald Merino, took advantage of a heavy downpour to break out.

Merino was killed by jail guards in Inopacan town when he resisted arrest.

He was waiting for a passenger bus bound for Manila when the jail guards, acting on a tip, caught up with him.

Bardillon has asked the Leyte provincial police to help in arresting Costillas and Obligado.

Sub-Provincial Jail Warden Cesar Maraya has been relieved following the escape and was reassigned to the Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail in Palompon, Leyte, awaiting charges for infidelity of prisoners, Bardillon said.

Maraya’s assistant, Merly Vertulfo has been named in his place.

See the original post of this news here

Motocross - another more fun in Inopacan and the rest of western Leyte

Photo credit to Facebook account of Kin B Picson.

Now we began to crawl the foot of Inopacan mountains.

Next time, with the help of more sponsors and support from our LGU officers, Inopacan will start to bring tourists to upper grounds from the seas of Cuatro Islas.

We have now another more fun in Inopacan.

Photo credit to Facebook account of Kin B Picson.

Thanks Kin B Picson for inspiring Inopacnons to motocross sport. Keep it up and congratulations.

Photo credit to Facebook account of Kin B Picson.

I agree with the good intentions why this sport is introduced in our place. 

MBIH us inviting good-hearted people and organizations to help finance and support the development of motocross in western Leyte. 

Photo credit to Facebook account of Kin B Picson.

This will help divert our young bloods from vices and evils of illegal drugs. 

It will also boost local tourism in Inopacan and neighboring towns.

MBIH (Matalom-Bato-Inopacan-Hindang) group of racers is organizing a monthly series of motocross race in western Leyte at least once or twice a month. 

Photo credit to Facebook account of Kin B Picson.

Here's an echo message of Kin B Picson's post to me: "Mao na campaign sa amo team MBIH (Matalom, Bato, Inopacan, Hilongos) nga nagpaduwa me og series sa motocross every month naa me one or twice a race para mapalayo ang mga batan-on sa mga lain og daotan nga binuhatan... para ma inspire pud sila aron maningkamot, og naa pud desidido magpatudlo namo willing me kaayo na mutudlo nila aron ma divert ang ila attention sa daotan... hinaot unta ko nga naa pud mu-sponsor sa amo team by financial."

SUPPORT THE MBIH TEAM!

Photo credit to Facebook account of Kin B Picson.

See more Facebook photos and video clips of MBIH (Matalom, Bato, Inopacan, Hindang) motocross HERE

What can you say about this. Write your thoughts in the comment, below.

 All photos in this post are from the Facebook account of Kin B Picson. 

See more photos and video clips in Kin B. Picson's Facebook photo albums HERE 

Subscribe now to get my next posts via email. Use the subscription box, below.

Upland farmers in Inopacan earning more because of organic farming.

The following is a reprint from SamarNews.com Officials from DAR and East-West Seed Philippines harvest organically grown pechay at the farm of Jose Dautil (right) in Barangay Hinabay, Inopacan, Leyte. (Jose Alsmith L. Soria)  photo courtesy of SamarNews.com

Hello veggies, goodbye abaca!

By JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA

April 19, 2016

TACLOBAN CITY – When we reached Barangay Hinabay, we were led to a vegetable farm of Jose Dautil, 54, that was ready for harvest. We picked some kilos of sweet pepper, and pechay, and paid him the corresponding price. Then we moved to Barangay Cabulisan to see more vegetables in other farms. These adjacent villages nestled on top of a mountain in Inopacan, Leyte are now known for organic vegetables.

Farmers here are now seriously pursuing high value organic vegetable production after the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) subjected last year the members of two agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) to a five-month training on high value crops production using the natural farming system. 

Being covered by the second phase of the Agrarian Reform Communities Project (ARCP-II), DAR tapped the East-West Seed Philippines for the conduct of the said training under the Agricultural Enterprise Development to the Hinabay Upland Farmers Association (HUFA) and the Cabulisan Multi-Purpose Upland Farmers Association (CAMUFA).

When asked what they like about organic vegetable production, Marissa Bisnar, 38, an agrarian reform beneficiary (ARB) said the products are sold at a higher price than those grown the traditional way. Even if they are a little bit expensive, more consumers prefer to buy organic vegetables, she added.

From her last harvest, Marissa shared that she earned P8,350 from her four plots of sweet pepper, four plots of tomato and ampalaya, which became additional income for her family.

Cristita Abenoja, a merchant from Barangay Cabulisan who buys the farmers’ harvests and sell them at the town’s market disclosed that her products are easily sold out because consumers opt for organic vegetables.

Organic farming now becomes the trade mark of these two barangays. When buyers learn that the vegetables come from the said barangays, they already know that it’s organic, Abenoja said. Further, “my customers increased,” she added, because the information had spread to nearby towns like Hindang, Bato and Baybay City.

For that, these farmers living on top of the mountain, 18 kilometers away from the town proper are thankful they were taught organic farming.

Abaca used to be the major crop of the farmers here. But because of the bunchy top disease, farmers ceased planting abaca, and shifted to vegetable production in 2004. Last year, with the joint effort of DAR and East-West Seed Philippines, the natural farming system was introduced and changed the lifestyle of the farmers here.

With this method the farmers no longer sniff chemicals when spraying pesticides, according to CAMAFU president Edelito Merrano Sr., 51. Likewise, they can save more because they no longer buy fertilizers and pesticides, he added.

Instead, they use the vermicast their association is producing. Vermi-culture and vermi-composting have been introduced to them by DAR in 2015 as alternative sources of livelihood.

CAMUFA was among the 100 ARB organizations provided with a shredder and 30 kilos of African night crawlers last year.

At the moment CAMUFA is also selling vermicast at P350 per sack of 50 kilos. While African night crawlers are being sold by the association at P500 per kilo. 

Click here to read the original post of SamarNews.com

It's LP landslide win in Inopacan for 2016 national & local elections

Congratulations to those who made it. For those who didn't, don't despair. It's not the end of the road. If your desire is really to serve Inopacan and the Inopacnons, you can still do it in hundred other ways. It could be better and more honorable than of becoming a  politician.

Mayor Loloy Lumarda and his vice, Jojo Pua, were uncontested. Thus, they both won even before the election.

All 8 LP candidates for Inopacan councilors won the 2016 election. All 4 Independent candidates didn't make it. 

MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN

Winners

Name	Political Party	Votes
VILLARUBIN, ALEJANDRO	LP	5,691
PUA, SABING	LP	5,514
SUMABONG, EFREN	LP	5,376
DE LOS SANTOS, JEAN	LP	5,236
JOSEPH, TAGOLOY	LP	5,175
CHIONG, ARIEL	LP	5,076
SIAO, DIOSDADO	LP	4,897
MANAPSAL, EUFRONIO	LP	4,748

Non-winners

Name	Political Party	Votes
RULETE, FERNANDO	Independent	4,469
DEGORIO, FRANCISCO	Independent	4,150
LLOREN, ALFREDO	Independent	3,817
PERANDOS, KAP ANING	Independent	2,164

The following are COMELEC election results based on COC (click or tap the image to enlarge):

Source: https://www.pilipinaselectionresults2016.com/#/coc

22 Hinabay and Cabulisan farmers are now certified organic farmers

The soil up there is rich and fertile. The wonder of organic farming will keep it forever.

Earlier this month, we have 22 upland farmers in Hinabay and Cabulisan who completed the long months of training on organic farming. They learned how to make natural fertilizers and pest control that saves farming costs and preserves the quality of their farm soils. More buyers, particularly those who are health conscious, are now patronizing organic vegetables. The produce are easily sold out for those who know that farm products are grown organically by our farmers.

The scenic verdant view of Cabulisan, once dubbed as the little Baguio of Leyte.

I expect the certified Inopacnon farmers to echo their learning to the rest of our farmers and  promote upland farming as another interesting venue for Agritourism. Organic farming would best support my long-time idea of promoting agritourism or agrotourism, just like in other Asian countries and other parts of the world. Agritourism or agrotourism is the activity of bringing visitors to a farm or any agricultural field. This would attract more tourists who would like to have a hands-on farm experience. It is  a perfect alternative tourism adventure in Inopacan. Here, we can let our visitors learn and experience the life and cultures on how the lands are tilled and prepared for  planting or enjoy the bounty of harvests. Agritourism will bring money to our local farmers for tourists may buy produce directly from a farm stand or place of harvest. The visitors may also be offered to  navigate the rice fields and vegetable farms, feed or care animal farms, pick fruits, or stay at a bed and breakfast (B&B) on a farm under the care of our local farmers and family.

Welcome to Hinabay

I would suggest also to our upland farmers that they should start now farming and cultivating flowers by taking advantage the cool environment up there.  Flower business is a promising industry and can be expanded to promote the production of honeybees where bees actively supports pollination of fruit flowers that contribute bountiful harvests to everyone's delight. That would be a scenic and fruity ecology in action.

RELATED POST:

• We have more fun in Inopacan

From the Cuatro Islas of Inopacan horizon and its colorful sunsets, we can now lead and connect the roads of local tourism to higher level, literally, up there where the sun rises. Then, there will be more wishlists for tourists and more wonders to discover between the sunrise and sunset of Inopacan.

Back to our  certified organic farmers. Here is a reprint of the story of our 22 local organic farmers from Hinabay and Cabulisan as featured in the April 08, 2016 post of the PIA online:

Leyte ARBs now certified organic vegetable farmers

Leyte ARBs now certified organic vegetable farmers

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 8 - Some 22 farmers from two highland barangays of Inopacan, Leyte are now certified organic vegetable producers after completing the five months training on High Value Vegetable Production using Technology on Natural Farming System.

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Regional Director Sheila Enciso said organic farming is environment-friendly and the products are good for the health.

“This kind of farming is more tedious than the traditional way of growing vegetables, which uses hazardous chemicals. With organic farming they can save more money for they no longer use pesticides and expensive fertilizers,” she said.

Enciso said her office tapped the East-West Seed Company for the conduct of the training under the Agricultural Enterprise Development component of the second phase of the Agrarian Reform Community Project (ARCP-II).

Participants of the said training were members of the Hinabay Upland Farmers Association (HUFA) and the Cabulisan Multi-Purpose Upland Farmers Association (CAMUFA), who all expressed gratitude for having been trained on organic vegetable production.

According to Edelito Merano Sr., 51, the farmers now use worm manure produced by the CAMAFU as fertilizers for their farms.

Merchant Cristeta Abenoja disclosed that there are more buyers of organic vegetables than those grown the traditional way.

Her vegetables from barangays Hinabay and Cabulisan are easily sold out for consumers already know that products from these villages are grown organically, Abenoja said.

Various organic vegetables abounded during the farmers’ graduation as it coincided with the harvest festival.

Meanwhile, 47 other farmers (27 from the town of Tolosa, Leyte and 20 from Pinabacdao), Samar likewise completed the same training last month though on separate occasions and venue, Enciso added. (JAS/LDL/DAR-8/PIA-8)

Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1211460080574/leyte-arbs-now-certified-organic-vegetable-farmers#sthash.IcFQVCDu.dpuf

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 8 - Some 22 farmers from two highland barangays of Inopacan, Leyte are now certified organic vegetable producers after completing the five months training on High Value Vegetable Production using Technology on Natural Farming System.

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Regional Director Sheila Enciso said organic farming is environment-friendly and the products are good for the health.

“This kind of farming is more tedious than the traditional way of growing vegetables, which uses hazardous chemicals. With organic farming they can save more money for they no longer use pesticides and expensive fertilizers,” she said.

Enciso said her office tapped the East-West Seed Company for the conduct of the training under the Agricultural Enterprise Development component of the second phase of the Agrarian Reform Community Project (ARCP-II).

Participants of the said training were members of the Hinabay Upland Farmers Association (HUFA) and the Cabulisan Multi-Purpose Upland Farmers Association (CAMUFA), who all expressed gratitude for having been trained on organic vegetable production.

According to Edelito Merano Sr., 51, the farmers now use worm manure produced by the CAMAFU as fertilizers for their farms.

Merchant Cristeta Abenoja disclosed that there are more buyers of organic vegetables than those grown the traditional way.

Her vegetables from barangays Hinabay and Cabulisan are easily sold out for consumers already know that products from these villages are grown organically, Abenoja said.

Various organic vegetables abounded during the farmers’ graduation as it coincided with the harvest festival.

Meanwhile, 47 other farmers (27 from the town of Tolosa, Leyte and 20 from Pinabacdao), Samar likewise completed the same training last month though on separate occasions and venue, Enciso added. (JAS/LDL/DAR-8/PIA-8)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1211460080574/leyte-arbs-now-certified-organic-vegetable-farmers#sthash.IcFQVCDu.dpuf