July 10, 2017 - 5:09pm

Mr. Jaime Muyao together with his neighbors in Brgy. San Quintin, Rizal, Kalinga used to observe the sky for signs of rain which usually motions the start of a farming season. If lucky, he would be able to plant his 2.7 hectares of rice farm. Even then, if rain is not sustained during the vegetative growth of rice, he would harvest only the minimum cavans of palay, or worse during drought, nothing.

In the same municipality, Mrs. Dorothy Antonio of Brgy. Bulo had to keep a night watch at a creek so she could have a chance to direct water to her farm through a surface water pump because there were lesser farmers competing for water when nightfall came.... read more

July 10, 2017 - 5:09pm

Proper documentation of all activities, formulation  and strict implementation of polices are among the best practices of the Outstanding Irrigators’ Associations (IA) in Davao, which, like the Taloy Sur and Bolo Burobor IAs of CAR, were also nationally awarded.

This was shared by Brian Ducat, president of Taloy Sur IA, after their interaction with the farmer-leaders of three best IAs from Davao del Sur, namely Badagoy IA in Magsaysay, San Isidro FIA in Carmen, San Agustin Ruparan Barangay Irrigators Development Association in Digos City during their visit on December 13-15, 2016.

IAs in Davao have a... read more

July 10, 2017 - 5:10pm

While cultural traditions seem to dwindle in practice as years pass by, the ‘ob-obbo’ of Agasil Irrigators’ Association in Brgy. Gonogon, Bontoc, Mountain Province beg to differ.

Even before development came in, farmers were maintaining and operating their irrigation systems the ‘ob-obbo’ way, a cultural practice that has its root in the traditional system of the Igorots in Mountain Province, which was passed on from ancient generation up to the present. The ‘ob-obbo’ is a cooperative work with no expected money in return. All water users are obliged to join in the clearing and restoration activities without complain. They bring their own packed lunch... read more

November 24, 2016 - 9:27am

Rice terraces carved along mountainsides of the Cordilleras engineered for agriculture by our forefathers have consistently awed tourists and visitors here and abroad. Until today, these rice terraces are cultivated mostly for highland rice varieties during the wet season which takes usually longer than the three to four-month period of hybrid rice varieties in the flat lowland areas.

The Cordillera Administrative Region’s rolling and mountainous topography facilitates irrigation development and farm cultivation in areas of higher elevation than the national three pecent slope criteria. The rice terraces in various provinces of the region are perfect examples of this.

... read more

November 24, 2016 - 9:30am

Anti Talima lived all her life in the secluded barangay of Anggacan in Tanudan, Kalinga. At 72, she still walks energetically, hears perfectly and talks enthusiastically about some of the indigenous farming customs, which are still very much practiced in Mangali. 

Mangali is an ethnolinguistic cluster in Tanudan and is composed of several barangays such as Anggacan and Mangali Centro. To reach Mangali from Tabuk City, one has to tackle a five-hour super bumpy ride on a high-wheeled PUV which travels once a day. If you are lucky, this will bring you to the nearest Mangali barangay. Otherwise, the vehicle will stop at Brgy. Taloctoc and one has to walk the rest of the... read more

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