Some 39 corn farmers from Valencia, Bohol attended a training on corn production organized by the Department of Agriculture Region 7 (DA7) Corn Program.
The three-day training from May 27-29, 2025 held at Marawis, Valencia, aimed to boost corn productivity and sustainability in the region, aligning with the department’s goal of enhancing food security and increase farmers’ income.
Roman Dabalos, DA7’s Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) for Bohol encouraged farmers to continue cultivating their corn areas, sharing the potential of corn in the region, as both feeds and staple food. He also gave the corn industry situationer.
Discussions include introduction to Good Agricultural Practices and PhilGAP Certification, Major Pests and Diseases of Corn and Their Management, and Safe Handling of Chemical Pesticides, Agricultural Systems and Resource Management, Cultural Management of Corn (from land preparation, planting to harvesting), Balanced Fertilization Strategy, Corn Morphology, Physiology, and Growth Stages, Harvesting and Post-Harvest Operations; and Grain Quality Management, Seed Selection and the Recommended High-Yielding Varieties.
To reinforce their knowledge from the theories discussed, participants underwent a hands-on field demonstration.
Teresita Gamale, the President of the Butong Omhon Marawis Maubo Corn Growers Association (BOMMOCA), expressed gratitude to DA7 for the technologies and the learnings she gained from the training, and how these (technologies) will have an impact in her life.
She said, “sa akong 36 ka tuig nga pagpananum ug mais, dako kaayo ang kalahian sauna ug karon nga naa na ang DA7 nga nagsuporta. Sauna, maglisod mi sa pagtrabaho kay walay makinarya, pero karon sayon na lang. Sa corn production training, dako kaayo among pasalamat kay naka-tabang kini sa among dugang nga kahibalo sa saktong pagpananum, ilabina sa pag-ila sa mga ‘amigo’ (natural enemies) ug ‘dili amigo’ (pests) nga naa sa among maisan.”
(With my 36 years in corn production, there is a big difference because the DA is supporting us. Before, we had a hard time for we lack machineries, and now farm work is easier. The corn training helped us a lot, it enhances our knowledge on corn production, especially on pest and diseases (natural enemies) present in our corn fields.)
She shared her story of being a corn farmer, receiving support from DA7 has helped her and other farmers in the community.
“Tungod sa akong pagpananum og mais, nakatabang ko sa akong mga silingan kay kung mag-ani na, makapanuhol ko sa pagpamuwad sa mais. Sa akong 1.5 ka ektarya, naka-ani ko ug 60 ka sako. Karon, nakapalit ko ug sinso ug TV, ug nakasuporta ko sa akong anak nga mo-graduate na isip seaman,” she added.
(By planting corn, I was able to help my neighbors, especially during harvest time because I hire them to do the drying. In my 1.5 hectare, I was able to harvest 60 sacks of corn cobs, was able to buy a chainsaw and TV, supported the education of my child who will soon graduate to be a seafarer.)
