LIBONA, Bukidnon — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA–10), in partnership with the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Libona, showcased the implementation of the Sustainable Land Management in Corn-Based Sloping Areas (SLM-Corn) Project during a Farmers’ Field Day on October 29 in Barangay Capihan, this municipality

The SLM-Corn Project—a priority initiative of the BSWM implemented in Northern Mindanao through DA-10—promotes soil and water conservation practices in upland and hilly corn-based farming areas. Libona town is one of six pilot sites nationwide for the project, which aims to enhance corn productivity and improve farmers’ income through sustainable land management technologies and crop diversification.

The project benefits the Bubunawan Buganay Farmers Association, covering 20.03 hectares, with the first cropping season launched in July this year. To support its implementation, DA-10 provided essential agricultural inputs for the first season, including 40 bags of hybrid yellow corn seeds, 100 bags of complete fertilizer, 60 bags of urea, and 40 bags of muriate of potash amounting to PhP528k. These inputs aim to enhance soil fertility, increase productivity, and strengthen the sustainability of corn-based farming systems.

Participants during the field day joined a technology demonstration tour featuring the use of maps, A-frame, trash lines, brush dams, hedgerows, vegetative barriers, alley cropping, and sediment traps. This provided farmers with hands-on experience and practical knowledge of soil and water conservation measures that prevent erosion, maintain soil fertility, and promote diversified cropping systems.

Acting Libona Mayor Tawing B. Woo expressed his gratitude to DA-10 and BSWM for their continued support and commended the farmers for their cooperation.

“Tungod na sa inyong gipakita. Ang paningkamot ninyo nga makighiusa tang tanan. Gitabangan ninyo ang barangay ug gipakita ninyo sa mga opisyal nga mao ni inyong kinahanglanon dinhi,” Woo said.

(This is all because of what you have shown—your effort to work together and help the barangay. You have shown your officials that this is truly what your community needs.)

The local chief executive also urged the farmers to sustain the interventions, emphasizing shared accountability.

“Ampingan gyud nato ang inyong kwarta [pinaagi sa pag sustenir sa proyekto], atong kwarta kay kita man tanan ang taxpayers,” he added.

(We must take good care of this project and the funds entrusted to us, because this is your money—our money—as we are all taxpayers.)

Luz I. Guzman, DVM, chief of the Field Operations Division of DA-10, lauded the partnership among DA-10, BSWM, the LGU of Libona, and farmer co-operators in implementing the SLM-Corn Project.

“Nalipay ko nga anaa mo ug niduyog gyud mo aning programa nga gi-initiate sa DA-BSWM,” Guzman said. “Palanggaon gyud ninyo ug inyong i-sustain kung unsa ang gihatag na project sa gobyerno — sabta nga para gyud na sa inyong kaayuhan.”

(I’m glad that you are here and have joined this program initiated by the DA-BSWM. You should value and sustain the project given by the government—understand that it is truly meant for your own benefit.)

“Kung mag-produce man gani ta, dili nato amung-amongan ang atong kinaiyahan. Mao ni ang tumong sa project — magmalambuon ang atong umahan nga dili madaot ang yuta [ug ma preserbar pa ang atong mga resources],” she added.

(Even as we strive to produce more, we must not harm our environment. The project’s goal is to make our farms productive without degrading the soil and to preserve our resources for the future.)

Meanwhile, Ace R. Abarro, Senior Agriculturist of BSWM, shared that the project also promotes crop diversification to raise farmers’ income and protect soil health.

“Layunin ng project natin, una, mapataas ang income ng mga farmers. Ang mga SLM technologies na itinuro natin, maliban sa nakakatulong laban sa soil erosion, ay pandagdag din po sa kabuhayan,” Abarro said. “Kasi dati, kung mais lang ang tanim, ngayon mayroon nang [iba] — corn plus coffee, calamansi, banana, tanglad, [rambutan at durian]. Ibig sabihin, maka-harvest siya sa corn at sa [anim] na commodity natin, habang napangangalagaan pa ang soil health.”

To further support the diversification efforts, DA-10 is currently in the process of procuring fruit tree planting materials, which will be distributed to farmer co-operators in the coming seasons.

Farmer co-operator Roselito Rosell remarked that the interventions have improved soil conditions and crop yields.

“Nagpasalamat mi sa gobyerno — DA-10, BSWM ug Local Government of Libona — sa ilang suporta. Kini nga proyekto dako kaayo’g tabang. Ang naay kwarta madugangan, ang walay kwarta, may kwarta na siya,” he said.

The event reaffirmed the collaboration among DA-10, BSWM, and the grassroots in promoting climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture. This is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen food security, promote science-based farming technologies, and ensure agricultural growth that leads to a better and more sustainable future for Filipino farmers. (JLO)