A TECHNO-FORESTRY project was launched in a remote, waterless, and powerless barangay of Kabankalan City in the province of Negros Occidental which can provide livelihood opportunities for a farmer, including college education for his children.
This development came after an agreement was made between Central Philippines State University (CPSU) in Kabankalan City; Ecological and Agricultural Development Foundation, Inc. (Eco-Agri) in Bacolod City, which was represented by R.U. Foundry and Machine Shop Corporation (RUFMSC) chairman-of-the-board Ramon Uy Sr.; and farmer Nestor Obejero of Sitio Cabugan in Barangay Tagukon – a remote community in Kabankalan City.
CPSU Professor Aladino “Nonoy” Moraca said the objective of this project is to provide an opportunity to deserving farmers who have shown dedication in the promotion and practice of organic farming and biodiversity conservation.
Since Obejero has been observed to have the ability in leading community organizations, which influenced the other farmers to adopt his organic farming practices, he was chosen as the first beneficiary of the project.
The components of the project include a solar home system which can provide the basic power needs of a typical home located in a remote area, and a rainwater collector which can store and provide the basic water requirements of a small family, among others.
This is actually a trade-off in the sense that Obejero is committed to conserve and maintain at least a hectare of forest patch in the surrounding area where spring sources can be found.
For adhering to the rationale of the project, CPSU will be providing scholarship grants to the children of Obejero to complete their college education.
Aside from the solar facility and water collection system, Obejero together with the other members of his family also received coaching on how to produce organic muscovado sugar, and the process extracting cooking oil from coconut.
Through these simple teachings, Obejero’s family will have the chance to save their hard-earned resources from buying commercially-produced cooking oil and sugar.
This is a simple transfer of technology to the targeted farmers regarding coconut oil processing, natural muscovado sugar production, and processing of other farm products, which is part of the advocacy of CPSU.
Moraca said the CPSU partnered with Eco-Agri due to its objective and expertise in implementing organic agriculture and community programs and projects.
Eco-Agri’s advocacy can be a worthwhile project which can be replicated in other communities in partnership with the academic institutions, like the CPSU.
It was learned that Eco-Agri, through the RUFMSC, was tapped in the implementation of the techno-forestry project particularly due to its competency in the installation of solar home systems, and rainwater collectors being among its services to alleviate poverty in the countryside.
The power generated from the solar system can now provide the electricity needed to light their home during the night which can greatly help the children to study their lessons.
The implementation of projects similar to this techno-forestry initiative is expected to make the residents of other remote communities to become productive and at the same time, become sustainable. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
