Malaybalay City, Bukidnon---Partnering once again with GreenMinds Incorporated, a Social Preparation activity in support to Palayamanan Plus Program of the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) transpired recently.

The Palayamanan Plus, a rice-based farming system model for small-scale farmers is a model of diversified integrated rice-based farming system developed and established by PhilRice is composed of synergistically compatible farming ventures such as rice, poultry, livestock, mushroom production, and aquaculture. The system employs practical, cost-saving and yield-enhancing management practices. The system includes microbial technology as an added dimension of the management practices to facilitate farm operations, improve the resource base and reduce overall operational costs.

The system also aims to maximize the utilization of resources, reduce farming risks, enhance sustainability, productivity and profitability, and improve economic stability, food security and hopefully better relationship among members of a farm family. A one-hectare diversified farm can sustain most of the daily food requirements, incidental expenses from fast-growing crops, and provide considerable income from animals, fish, and seasonal field crops. Three workers or a family of six members can operate the farm. The model farm has been established in six state colleges and universities and a research center across the country.

With the involvement of GreenMinds Inc. on the institute’s extension efforts, interventions came in the form of social services provision, technical assistance and marketing linkages. Such interventions to the Rural and Indigenous Peoples (IPs) communities of Bukidnon intends to combat and break the cycle of discrimination, absence of needed opportunities and lack of access to fair market.

Lonalyn A. Sulatan aka “Ken Ken” of GreenMinds Inc. served as the facilitator of the activity. As a member of the Matigsalug Tribe, Ms. Sulatan was a product of numerous trainings organized by the center such as the Training on RP Development Course. Mr. Fernando "Datu Dalangpanan" G. Bermoy served as the Resource Person (RP).

The Career Development and Management Services (CDMS) through Rice Focal Person Jhoylie Mae R. Caumban in close coordination with the City Agriculture Office of Malaybalay came up with such activity to create a pool of socially prepared Community Focal Persons that will handle upcoming community undertakings, increase its chances of success and ultimately leading to the establishment of community social enterprises.

Participants of the Social Preparation were the members of the Sto. Niño Rice Farmers Asssociation. The two-day activity was held on October 4-5, 2019 at Anpa’s Farm in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. (with reports from Jhoylie Mae R. Caumban, Development Management Officer-II)