This is a project proposal developed to find an answer to the challenges of climate change and el nino phenomenon. We are glad that DOST Region 7 is interested in the project and may financially support this in cy 2016. Meanwhile, ASKEDWELL center will continue to explore on many training methods or a combination of training technologies that endeavor to make life easier for a marginal farmer live through the challenges of climate change.
The courses Animal Production NC II, Horticulture NC II, Aquaculture NC II and Driving NC II provide specific competencies that can be integrated though diversified to make a holistic system of farming and production for daily sustainance. Income for other family expenditures can also be acquired through the duration of the El Nino.
The introduction of the proposal is posted for information to stakeholders and potential partners in the implementation
November 8, 2015
Engr. Edilberto L. Paradela
Regional Director
Department of Science and Technology
Region 7
Dear Director Paradela,
SUBJECT:
LETTER OF INTENT TO IMPLEMENT A PROJECT ON DROUGHT RESISTANT NATURAL
FARMING SYSTEMS
Greetings of Peace and Prosperity!
Our training center, the Action for Skills
Knowledge Education and Wellness (ASKEDWELL) Center with TESDA Registered
programs, is a newly organized Non-stock Non-profit institution based in
Borbon, Cebu and authorized by SEC Reg. CN201326762 dated June 6, 2013 to conduct programs
anywhere in the Philippines.
We are presently operating in the hinterlands of
Northern Cebu, specifically, in the municipality of Bongdo, Borbon, which was affected by Typhoon
Yolanda and disrupted livelihood by Typhoon Ruby. We offer Animal Production NC
II, Horticulture NC II, Aquaculture NC II and Driving NC II. These are
integrated to assist rural communities develop through technology transfer. It
is our intent to implement an innovative program to respond to the challenges
brought about by the climate change and the el niňo phenomena
The ASKEDWELL center graduated 130 TESDA scholars
and ASKEDWELL Center scholars in Animal Production NC II, Horticulture NC II,
Aquaculture NC II and Driving NC II. We
officially started the training on last week of October 2014 and our volunteer
supervisors and trainors are continuously following up on technical assistance
to the graduates. Our effort is focused on motivating the farmers to increase
production on natural farming methods and improve the spirit of working as a
team. With the training assistance of TESDA, we have provided basic tools and
materials to assist farmers in developing food substitutes for animals, fish
and poultry.
We are also
starting our journey towards Organic Agriculture Production NC II, as the
undersigned, being the President / CEO of the center is a member of the
Technical Expert Panel that drafted the Organic Production NC II Training
Regulations.
In this regard, may we request for an
endorsement and support to the project which we plan to organize and
implement by December 2015 to July 2016 at Barangay Bongdo Gua and Barangay
Bongdo. Both Barangays were hit byTyphoon Yolanda and struggling to develop for
sustainable growth.
Thank you very much and warm regards,
Very
truly yours
Dr.
Silvano B. Maranga
President
/ CEO
annex a
PROJECT
TITLE: DROUGHT RESISTANT NATURAL FARMING SYSTEM:
an integrated outcome – based TESDA Registered agri-fishery training courses
PROPONENT: Action for Skills Knowledge Education and
Wellness Center
DESCRIPTION: Farmers are the first group of people
affected by the negative effects of climate change. Decreasing volume of water
will cause most crops and plant life to wither. Animal growth and production
may be sustained with increasing inputs from commercial sources but
uneconomical to a marginal farmer. Fish in ponds, with increasing temperature
are less productive and tend to lose dissolved oxygen in water creating an
environment less conducive to its survival
Damaged crops, less productive
animals and dwindling fish are expected to result in imbalance in the life and
livelihood of farmers. With the reduction of water volume and increasing
ambient temperature, water supply dwindles. Then the series of disastrous
events follow the natural course.
There are two schools of thought
in developing a response to the incoming crisis as predicted, the el nino
phenomenon which has already damaged several agricultural lands in many
provinces. The el niňo is expected to last for nine (9) months at most and
based on past records could happen again in the next six (6) years or so.
One response is creating new jobs
and skills for farmers that tend to make them move away from their homes and
engage in a livelihood endeavor which detach them from what they were doing for
the past many years of their life.
Second option is to respond to the
challenge through science and technology. Train the farmers on methods of
natural farming, applying principles of
bacterial action in plant and animal
life, cleansing water, and producing nutritious food for plants and animals. In
short, let this el niňo occurrence be a preparation and a learning time for
them to become better farmers and better prepared in facing natural crisis
Farmers shall be trained to build
simple and easy to construct above ground fish pond which can be transported or
put in places where water is available. Pumping or moving water in and out of
the pond shall be done through siphon principles or even to the extent of using
small pumps run by solar energy.
In this set - up drought resistant
trees, such as breadfruit and jackfruit, are planted as feed for animals and
for human consumption. Root crops shall also be selected and planted based on
its resistance to drought and mineral content or nutrients.
In natural settings, goats and
cattle can best withstand the effects of drought. Hogs , native chicken, turkey
and sheep shall be raised as these animals and poultry produce waste that can
easily be converted to fertilizer.
Pantat or catfish can live without
water, as it can hibernate under soil. Tilapia is also one of the most
versatile fish as it can live in varying temperatures, ph and dissolved oxygen
in water. Concoctions, such as faa, labs, ffj, and fpj are useful technologies
in controlling odor and increasing water quality for fish and plants even in low
volume conditions.
As this project deals with a
systemic loss to the environment, it is also important that the science and
technology response to the threat of farmer’s livelihood should also be
systemic. The combination of traditional and modern technologies, such as
fermentation and solar power are all incorporated in this project.
The process will involve farmers
and future farmers. Ponds and water catchment units will be a major component
of the project. The above ground ponds will be quick to install while the water
catchment on ground will need the support for backhoe machines and good pond
liners.
It is also important to protect
the pond from predators, hence it is necessary to cover with nets. Fish inside
the pond will be placed in fish cage for easy movement and control in fish
density. Ponds for azola and duck weed shall also be set up as these are food
for the fish. Plants shall be watered through a modified, low cost watering
system. Whenever necessary, an electric or solenoid water valve can be used to
reduce further the farmers’ burden in keeping the farm functional.
It is envisioned that, after the
completion of the project and el niňo closes, more technical training will be
linked to the project which will include biogas technology and windmill in
areas where it is feasible. Farm and business planning, including financial and
organizational management will form part of the project sustainability.
As
per feedback from farmers, it is noticed that water loss rate is increasing. It
is possible that water springs are starting to dry up or soil is drying faster
that water gets dissipated to the ground faster than normal. It is also
observed that even plants watered in early morning, wither in the afternoon even if the soil is
still moist. It is important to determine the ambient temperature and dryness
of air. Science and technology must find a solution to this condition to assist
farmers.
This drought condition may last
longer or shorter than expected. Farmers will always be farmers, it will be difficult
for them to change a lifestyle away from the land. It is their home and life.
Science and technology should prepare them in their struggle for survival. This
project envisions to prepare them with science and technologies which will
prepare them to respond for survival and development. Farmers are the backbone
and source of food for communities. Let this be an effort of providing them
with science and technology to act during crisis conditions, retool farmers to
improve production in better climate conditions.
ASSUMPTIONS:
1.
That the el niño phenomenon may last for 9 to 10 months
2.
That farmers are within the 56 to 70 year old
range
3.
That most are below grade 4 level of education
4.
That most of farming practices are learned from
parents
5.
That conventional agricultural practices are
based on intensive systems
6.
That land areas available to marginal farmers
are less than ¼ hectare or 2,500 sq. meters
7.
That farmers get their food and other
necessities from a daily farming labor.
8.
That a farmer with 4 children earns Php 8,000.00
per month for one year under normal weather conditions and expected to
drop lower during weather disturbances
PURPOSES:
1.
PROVIDE FARMERS’ ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF
LIVELIHOOD IN PREPARATION FOR CLIMATE CHANGE SPECIFICALLY EL NIŇO PHENOMENON
2.
UTILIZE
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLGY IN NATURAL FARMING SYSTEMS
3.
DEVELOP ENTREPRENEURIAL COMPETENCIES AMONG
FARMERS
4.
PURSUE
THE GOALS OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES
5.
FARMERS EARN AN AVERAGE OF PHP 5,000.00 PER
MONTH DURING THE DURATION OF THE EL NIŇO
WHICH COULD LAST FOR 9 TO 10 MONTHS
BASED ON HISTORICAL INFORMATION
6.
DEVELOP
YOUTH FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND CONTINUING THE WORK OF ELDERLY
FARMERS
PROJECT OUTCOME
1. WATER
SOURCES IDENTIFIED AND PRESERVED
2. RAIN
WATER CONTAINED IN LOW COST AND ABOVE GROUND FISH POND
3. FISH
RAISED FOR FOOD AND FERTILIZER
4. DROUGHT
RESISTANT PLANTS IDENTIFIED AND PLANTED
5. DROUGHT
RESISTANT ANIMALS, POULTRY AND FISH ARE RAISED
6. TECHNOLOGY
IN NATURAL FARMING, FOOD PROCESSING AND PACKAGING ARE APPLIED
7. FARMERS
PRODUCTS ARE SOLD AT FARM GATE PRIZES OR PROCESSED NATURALLY
8. 25
FARMERS TRAINED
9. GROSS
SALE OF EACH FARMER EACH MONTH FOR TEN MONTHS IS ESTIMATED AT PHP 5,000.OO OR A
TOTAL OF 5O T FOR 10 MONTHS
METHODOLOGIES
1. COMPETENCY-BASED
INSTRUCTION
2.
ADULT-LEARNING MODALITY
3.
PEER-LEARNING APPROACH
4.
COMMUNITY-BASED RURAL DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM
5. PACKAGING
AND MARKETING OF PRODUCTS IN A TEAM ENVIRONMENT
TRAINORS, LECTURERS, TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS
Ø TESDA
CERTIFIED TRAINORS AND ASSISTANTS
Ø VOLUNTEER EXPERTS IN VARIOUS DISCIPLINES
Ø AGRICULTURAL OFFICERS
Ø TESDA
OFFICERS IN ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
Ø LGU OFFICALS ASSIGNED IN AGRICULTURAL
PROGRAMS
 |
| two ponds were set-up while the water in the pond started to recede. the small ponds took an hour to install. Tilapia was transferred as soon as water was put in. |
 |
| water was knee deep when the ponds were set-up |
 |
| In less than a week the main pond dried up. Tilapia in the small ponds survive . Concoctions are used to control odor and water salinity to keep the fish alive. |
 |
| The main pond where water flows from the creek to the ponds is also starting dry up. |
 |
| A view of the ponds |
 |
| view of the main pond still with water |
 |
| Azola is used to feed the tilapia. |
 |
| tilapia in small pond is easy to catch. It can also be used to hold a small fish cage. |
