An P8.5-million Farmer-Led Extension (FLE) corn project is expected to benefit 44,000 farmers from Isabela and agriculture student interns from the Isabela State University (ISU).
The project “Enhancing corn productivity and entrepreneurship through FLE-managed technology transfer in Isabela, Region 2” was co-funded by PCARRD and the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit 2 (DA-RFU 2). It will commence in mid 2010 and end in 2011.
FLE is an agricultural extension strategy that promotes technologies by harnessing the expertise and capabilities of farmer-leaders. Here, farmer-leaders demonstrate and teach techniques to other farmers. The strategy was conceived by former DA-RFU 2 Regional Dir. Gumersindo D. Lasam and was piloted from 2004 to 2008.
The technique fosters the “to-see-is-to-believe” attitude, that is once farmers see that a technique is effective, they would adapt it. Farmers also learn more easily with a hands-on approach.
Enhancing corn productivity
The project aims to increase corn production by 600 kg/ha in areas with non-acidic soils, 500 kg/ha in areas with acidic soils, and 1,000 kg/ha in traditional white corn areas. The project areas are divided into 103 clusters, each cluster consisting of 200- 400 ha of contiguous cornfields in Isabela.
Components of the project are selection of farmer-leaders; capacity building; mobilizing and organizing farmers; establishment of FLE-managed technology demonstrations; conduct of field days; and project monitoring and evaluation.
To increase productivity of FLE-managed farms, science and technology (S&T) interventions such as application of Bio-N and agricultural lime, demo on open-pollinated variety, and production and utilization of bio-organic fertilizer will be implemented.
Enhancing student entrepreneurship
In a related development, the corn project received an added P3.3 million from PCARRD’s “Enhancing the demand for agriculture, forestry and natural resources graduates through S&T” program. Hence, some components of the project were reoriented to accommodate agriculture interns from ISU.
Aside from increased corn production, the additional expected outputs are enhanced ISU learning modules and agriculture students trained on corn production and marketing in FLE-managed farms.