In Pictures

FRESH START ORGANICS

Photo Credits: ALDWIN DALPATAN

FISHFUD (No, that is not a typo)

 

SIMAG Foundation, represented by Mrs. Helen M. Gamboa, with the assistance of the City Agriculture Office, represented by Noel P. Perocho, recently launched the first organic tilapia (cichild) farm at Hda. Sibato, Brgy. Guimbalaon, Silay City.

 

The project was aptly named FISHFUD - Fish for the Upland Dwellers.

The 1000 sq. m. FISHFUD project benefits over a hundred members of the Sibato Bukidnon Tribal Community. 

 

Spot the tilapias glowing silver on the water.

 

Thank you SIMAG Foundation! :)

DMLMHS named Champion in Gulayan sa Paaralan

Dona Montserrat Lopez Memorial High School won first place in the Gulayan sa Paaralan (high School Category) during the 8th Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival with the theme "Rediscovery Culture and Tradition of Food for a Sustainable Future" last November 21-24, 2013 at provincial Capitol Grounds, Bacolod City

From left to right ( Mrs. Evangeline P. Osorio, Mrs. Naneth L. Benedicto (head teacher VI), Mrs. Rosela L. Acse, Mrs. Connie B. Bitalac, Mrs. Marionette J. Quirit, and Mr. Danilo P. Seva)

It is always encouraging to see our Dep Ed Family instilling the value of healthy living and the virtues of organic farming to our young students.

For those interested in viewing DMLMHS' organic garden, you may visit the school located along Rizal Street, Silay City.

Congratulations DMLMHS! :)

On Thresher, Tractors and Swine

The Silay City Government actively supports the initiative set by the City Agriculture Office in helping our local farmers and in turn increase the volume and quality of our products.

 A tractor is a farm vehicle that provides the power and traction to mechanize agricultural tasks, especially (and originally) tillage, but nowadays a great variety of tasks. Agricultural implements may be towed behind or mounted on the tractor, and the tractor may also provide a source of power if the implement is mechanised.

Recently, the city in the person of Mayor Jose Montelibano has donated a rice thresher, tractor and swine for fattening for our local farmers.

Thresher refers to a device that first separates the head of a stalk of grain from the straw, and then further separates the kernel from the rest of the head.

With this huge support coming from the local government, its no wonder Silay is among the leading LGUs in terms of organic farming. Not to mention a grandslam champion in the Food Security Corner competition at the Panaad Sa Negros Festival in the years 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Kudos to Sir Jason Benedicto and his entire staff!! :)

Midori Means Green

IKAW-AKO (Japan-Negros Partnership for Environmental Protection) has been a consistent partner of Silay City in the preservation, promotion and rehabilitation of our ‘Bukid, Ciudad Kag Baybay’ (Mountains, City and Sea).

                Established for nearly a decade now, IKAW-AKO has made considerable progress in the shorelines of Brgy. Balaring and the mountains of Brgy. Patag. It has received grants from various international organizations such as JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and its volunteers ranges from young children, students and professionals. It has also established local people’s organizations whose members have now reached 150 serving 500 beneficiaries with support services from DENR, PEMO, Liga ng mga Barangay, Dep Ed, Boy and Girl Scouts of the Philippines.

                One of the more important contribution of IKAW-AKO to Silay is the technology that was shared to our local farmers. Organic farming, hog raising, native chicken raising were implemented at the local communities sponsored by IKAW-AKO. This development had led to the birth of MIDORI Showroom and Café.

                Midori literally means ‘green’ in Japanese and is located at the Mariano Locsin Ancestral House along Rizal Street, in front of the public plaza (right beside Dunkin Donuts).

                Midori serves as an outlet for the various products of the local farmers such as organic vegetables, native food, fruits, handicrafts and beverages. The café also serves local and Japanese dishes (all made of organic ingredients, of course.)

                Their organic cha and coffee are a must-try!

                Generated income from the café is utilized to finance IKAW-AKO projects. So, not only will you be living healthily, you’d be supporting our local farmers as well.

                So, what are you waiting for? Visit MIDORI now!

Silaynons Excel in Organic Farming

Earlier, we blogged about Nay Sario and her continuing contributions to organic farming not only in Silay City but in the whole region.

As the famous line goes, Nay Sario stands not alone. 

Meet Mr. John Eric V. Bernabe: Regional Outstanding High Value Crops Farmer and Elenita C. Alarcon: Outstanding Sugarcane Farmer.

The following is an excerpt of an article about them written by Ms. Joanzen Dedoroy published in the latest issue of The Sweet Life.

"SILAY FARMERS RECEIVE REGIONAL AWARDS"

'Silay Assistant City Agriculturist Jason Benedicto reported that two Silaynons received regional awards in the Western Visayas Gawad Saka 2013 Awarding Ceremony & Nutrition Month Celebration and Culminating Activity held at Jordan Hall, Sarabia Manor Hotel & Convention Center in Iloilo City last July 29, 2013.

Elenita C. Alarcon, hailed as the Outstanding Sugarcane Farmer, is a sugarcane farmer for 43 years in Hda. Pula, Brgy. E. Lopez, Silay City.

Alarcon had produced an average of 167 tons and 311.68 LKg sugar per hectare for crop years 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, based on a Regional Technical Search Committee's validation last May 2,2013. Earlier, she had received a citation from Department of Agriculture main office in Quezon City.

Another Silaynon, John Eric V. Bernabe of Brgy. Patag, Silay City was recognized as the Regional Outstanding High Value Crops Farmer.

Bernabe is using handpickng and uses deteergents and fabric conditioners for fruit fly trapping instead of using commercial pesticide.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Prancesco J. Alcala said that The Search for Gawad Saka Award is an annual activity that gives honro and gratitude to the outstanding Filipino Farmers who manifested exemplary contributions to the field of agriculture, fishery and livestock production.'