Research benefits Phillipine Farmers
IIRR Facilities adoption of new practices

After farming together for nearly 50 years, husband and wife Luciano and Epifania Cameros are anticipating a 25% increase in their yield of corn this year. Even before the crop has come in, they have seen their income increase because they are spending less on inputs. In the past, they applied inorganic fertilizer to their corn, but this year, they began to apply only organic fertilizer from cattle they raise.The Cameros’ are farmer-beneficiaries of the Community Agricultural Technology Program  (CATP), facilitated by IIRR.

“The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) aims to achieve more productive and sustainable agricultural systems in developing countries in order to reduce poverty and improve livelihoods. To this end, ACIAR has facilitated research on agricultural technologies that can benefit farmers in the Philippines. I am convinced that during his tenure IIRR will continue to move from strength to strength,” said Gerber. Gerber is stepping down after guiding the organization through a successful presidential transition and programmatic planning for the 2006-2010 period.. Now they are supporting farmers through IIRR’s CATP program to facilitate their adoption of researched technologies. The result for farmers is improved agricultural production and increased income.

As part of CATP, IIRR partners with local NGOs in d i f f e r e n t regions across the Philippines. Farmers are invited to workshops to identify their needs and how they might be a d d r e s s e d through adopting technologies developed by ACIARsponsored research.The next step is to transfer selected technologies through demonstration, training and visiting other farmer-adopters.During trainings, farmers are encouraged to share the indigenous practices that they find helpful.University researchers find these insights enrich their studies. At the same time, farmers learn and apply many new practices in growing corn, bananas, coffee and raising goats and pigs. For example, corn farmers learned about soil conditions and pH levels, proper application of organic and inorganic fertilizers, and use of natural vegetative strips.These practices have greatly improved farmers soil and water conservation efforts, and, as the Cameros’ can attest their yields.

Posted on: November 2007