THEY call it cabecillas in Luzon and pakyaw groups in the Visayan regions. Today they are known as the modern-day farm- service provider (FSP).
Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 13, through the Agri-Pinoy Rice Program, aims to transform modern-day farm laborers into an effective agent for the improvement of the farming system. This is a practical response to the demand and scarcity of farm workers parallel to the agro-economic condition in the rural areas.
In the region, Antongalon Agusan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (AAMPC) was accredited to become an FSP. “The primary objective of the cooperative as FSP is to facilitate efficient land preparation, improve crop stand by introducing new technologies; increase yield; lower cost of production, reduce postharvest losses; and, most important, satisfy the farmers availing the services,” AAMPC Chairman Gerardo M. Mag-isa said.
To capacitate AAMPC and become effective agent in providing farm services, the DA armed them with the necessary skills and knowledge through trainings, assisting in the institutional buildup of the cooperative, and provided modern farm equipment and machineries. Improvements in pre- and postharvest technologies and the adoption of climate-smart technologies were introduced and shared to the members of the cooperative.
AAMPC members are seasonal farm laborers, the majority of them gain farming skills through experience and actual involvement in the field. Mag-isa said that through capability-building activities, members of their cooperative are now more willing to learn more about new farming technologies. This opportunity gave new ideas for improvement for the 340 active members of the cooperative in their respective farms.
“My fellow farmers were afraid to try farm mechanization because they were concerned about labor displacement. But actually, the displaced workers were now trained to become farm technicians and operators,” Mag-isa said.
According to DA-13 Regional Technical Director for Operations and LGU Support Edgardo D. Dahino, the department had given the following equipment to AAMPC: one rice combine harvester; three farm tractors; two rice planters; two water pumps; one rice reaper; one power tiller; one rice thresher; two flatbed mechanical dryer; and two-seeder (direct). The Farm Mechanization Program implements the 15:85 counter-parting scheme, in which only 15 percent will be paid by the association provided that all requirements are complied.
“A total of P 12 million worth of farm equipment, machineries, financing assistance and including the renovation of our office, all of these were given by the Department of Agriculture. With this, we are more than grateful to the DA and, as a way of giving back to the people, we also commit ourselves to provide efficient service to our farmers,” Mag-isa added.
FSPs offer their services starting from land and seedling preparation, care and maintenance up to harvesting. With the services offered, many farmers were able to breathe a sigh of relief from the usual tiresome farming and time-consuming practice while reducing labor cost.
The mode of payment depends on the kind of service the farmer needs. In harvesting, if a hectare of rice land yields 100 bags, the cooperative will have a share of 14 bags and from that share 20 percent will be given to the workers and the machine operator.
AAMPC is now an active partner of the DA as it continues to provide the needed support to empower the farmers in Caraga and increase productivity.
Rhea C. Abao