DAR develops model sugarcane farm

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LEGAZPI CITY -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Masbate provincial office has piloted a project to develop a model farm in the province for the production of “moscovado sugar” and utilization of crop waste products that are mixed with molasses (a by-product of sugarcane processing) as cattle feeds.

DAR Masbate Program Beneficiaries Development Division (PBDD) chief Herald Tambal said the project was piloted in barangays Lantangan in Mandaon town and Curvada in Cataingan, located in the second and third congressional districts respectively.

The model farm in Lantangan is a joint project between DAR Masbate, Abelita Ranch and Lantangan People’s Organization (LAPO). There is also an existing “paiwi” from Abelita Ranch numbering to more than 100 cattle heads which started in 2007, DAR-Bicol report stated.

LAPO, also an agrarian reform beneficiary’s organization (ARBO), owns 35 heads of cattle distributed among its members and works hand-in-hand with DAR Masbate and cattle raisers in developing the model sugarcane and corn plantation, DAR-Bicol added.

Tambal said hrough DAR’s Farmers Field School, the partner ARBs/farmers and cattle raisers are supplied with knowledge and technical skills on the process of producing and stockpiling through silage cattle feeds out of crop wastes gathered after the harvest season and organic fertilizers from cattle manure.

At present, the DAR has also granted LAPO a shredder machine for organic farming.

Meanwhile, the project in Curvada, Cataingan is a tie-up between DAR Masbate and QUENSCUP, an ARBO which is composed of ARB-members who are residents of Barangays Quezon, Nadawisan, San Jose, Curvada and Pitugo, thus the acronym QUENSCUP.

Lantangan and Curvada are both recipients of the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS).

Tambal is optimistic that the project will play a vital role in reviving the “economies of scale” concept in Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) when it comes to their agricultural and livestock enterprise.

DAR Bicol meanwhile said that the project adheres to the “ridge to reef” approach under Natural Resources Governance with emphasis on proper crop and animal waste management and subscribing to gender and development equality wherein rural women are accorded fair and equal services and opportunities. -- RLustestica-DAR5/PIA5