Aeta farmers attend coffee production training
Some 40 Aeta farmers from Sitio Nagpana, Brgy. Lipata, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo attended a one-day training on coffee production conducted by the Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA).
The training aims to enhance cultural management, pest and diseases control and post harvest handling among the Aeta farmers. New coffee varieties that can yield higher than the traditional varieties were introduced.
According to Mr. Reynaldo Ozano, Chief of Crops Section, OPA-Iloilo, the provincial government will provide coffee seedlings and technical support to the coffee growers.
“Aside from coffee seedlings, we can also assist these indigenous people on vegetable production which will be their cash crops,” he said.
Mr. Ozano also discussed the potential of planting Rattan and "Nito" in the area since it has sufficient water supply and located on a mountainous area.
Mr. Norberto Gonzalez, the provincial-paid farmer coordinator expressed optimism that the native tribe can produce more than 200 tons of coffee this year by adopting new technologies and cultural management.
Marketing assistance will also be given by the OPA during harvest season so as to avoid unfair practice of some traders.
Ms. Eleanor Rivera, of DA RFU 6 also discussed the benefits of integrated farming and importance of integrated pest management. She stressed that crop rotation must be practiced so as to maintain soil fertility and break down the life cycle of pest and diseases.
The RAFID 6 will also establish Barangay Agricultural Information Center (BAIC) which will be manned by identified farmer cooperator in order to bring agricultural reading materials to the tribes in the area.
(JEEO/RAFID 6)