VICTORIA, ORIENTAL MINDORO, Philippines - A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the members of the Victoria Kalamansi Farmers Federation (VKFF), the Local Government of Victoria represented by Mayor Joselito Malabanan, and the Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology (MinSCAT) represented by Pres. Jesse Zamora was signed on 3 October 2016 for the establishment of the calamansi demonstration farms under the Piloting and Upscaling Effective Models of Inclusive and Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development project of SEARCA. The memorandum highlights the rights and responsibilities of the various parties in the establishment and maintenance of the demonstration farms.
Calamansi growers with the MinsCAT, LGU Victoria and SEARCA ISARD TeamsPrior to the signing ceremony was the closing program of the calamansi production training series held on successive weekends of August and September 2016 participated in by the members of the VKFF. The series of training was divided into four modules: (1) Preparation of Planting Materials and Seedlings held on 27 August 2016; (2) Site Establishment that included soil sampling and analysis, nutrient management, and irrigation held on 3 September 2016; (3) Crop Establishment that pertained to transplanting, cultural practices, and multi-cropping systems held on 10 September 2016; and (4) Orchard Management, which counted in rejuvenation strategies, off-season production, pest and disease management as well as harvesting and post-harvest operations held on 17 September 2016.
Certificates of Completion were awarded to 30 calamansi farmers who participated in the training and would allot nearly half a hectare of their lands to the demonstration farms. The program was capped with the distribution of planting materials and other farm inputs and tools for the demonstration farms.
Farmers participating in the Calamansi Production Training Series
