Department of Science and Technology Project Assistant III John Lerry Bautista talks about the different programs and interventions of the agency for farmers and fisherfolks under the Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology program.
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Department of Science and Technology (DOST) continues to assist farmers and fisherfolks in Central Luzon under its Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) program.
DOST Project Assistant III John Lerry Bautista said the agency has several programs to build the capacity and provide livelihood opportunities for people in coastal towns, as well as those engaged in farming.
“One of the technical assistance that we [DOST] provide to our farmer group beneficiaries is the smart hybrid rice production technology where we help raise their level of knowledge when it comes to modern farming. This includes trainings and orientations on double mulching techniques, and using walk behind and riding transplanters. Our capability buildings also include awareness and seminars on rice production,” he said.
Bautista added that DOST also has program for carrageenan, a type of foliar fertilizer, that can raise the yield and productivity of farmers.
The agency also distributed compact brown rice impeller to farmer groups to capacitate them to process their harvest into brown rice.
Through this technology, the DOST personnel said farmers can sell the brown rice for P35 to P40 per kilo, instead of only P14 to P18 for the regular milled rice.
“Seeing the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic to the nutritional status of the people, we thought it is best that DOST provides machineries to help ensure the availability of supply of brown rice to the communities. That way, while addressing the nutritional needs of the people, we can even increase the yield or income of our farmers,” Bautista said.
In addition to the the machinery, DOST also aids identified farmer associations in terms of packaging and labeling so they can sell brown rice with properly labelled design and vacuum packed.
Bautista said the agency has also launched livelihood programs in coastal areas for fisherfolks under the CEST program.
“For example, in Dingalan [Aurora], we have assisted associations by providing processing facilities for tuna. Some of our beneficiaries have already processed their products, and can also make smoked tuna or smoked fish. They also produce bottled sardines now,” he shared.
He added that they also provide drying trays which the fishermen and their housewives can use to avoid contamination and ensure compliance to food safety.
DOST’s CEST program aims to provide livelihood and alleviate poverty in remote communities. Its implementation entails provision and transfer of technology-based livelihood projects to the identified communities. This will also facilitate the transfer of technologies to beneficiaries along the areas of education, health and nutrition, water and sanitation, disaster risk reduction, and industry development or livelihood. (CLJD/MJSC-PIA 3)
