Poultry is part and parcel of the integrated farming program in Kitcharao LGU Farm. Photo: PIA Caraga
By NORA C. LANUZA
Anchored on the owing battle cry on food for all, the local government unit of Kitcharao in Agusan del Norte accepted the challenge and offered a ray of hope.
The town of Kitcharao, with a land area of 171.92 square kilometers, served as a domicile of the locals who farm and fish, as their bread and butter.
Situated in the heart of the town is a three-hectare lot at Sitio Lapucon in Barangay Crossing, where a P34.5 million farm facility stood strong as a game changer in agriculture, the Kitcharao LGU Farm.
Kitcharao LGU Farm, the agri-tourism hub in Agusan del Norte. Photo: PIA Caraga
A shift to integrated farming
There was antagonism among local farmers who believed there is no pot of gold in traditional farming, thus prompting the LGU to campaign for integrated farming, the best practice within the four corners of the Kitcharao LGU Farm.
As defined, integrated farming is a sustainable agricultural approach and method that integrates livestock, crop production, fish, poultry, tree crops, plantation crops, and other systems that benefit each other.
Knowing the plight of the local farmers and fishermen, Kitcharao Mayor Jenry Montante through the LGU, built and managed the Kitcharao LGU Farm primarily to elevate the livelihood of the town, capacitate and empower the hard-working farmers and fisherfolk with new farming and fishing techniques and the use of modern equipment, and make the LGU a place flowing with fresh and affordable vegetables, poultry, fishery products, rice and others, where locals will never starve and live in abundance despite the changing times.
As an accredited learning site for agriculture and farm school, Mayor Montante recalled and shared the journey of the many dreamers who were with him in putting up the said facility. “I want our farmers to learn and be guided with the modern way of farming, with the help of our agriculturists, experts of the field, workers, and partner agencies like the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) and, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), they will be guided on how to practice integrated farming with the use of modern technology and equipment,” according to the local chief executive.
Good and fresh vegetable harvest in the Kitcharao LGU Farm. Photo: PIA Caraga
On the same advocacy, Dr. Raul del Agua, the municipal agriculturist wanted the local rice farmers to go away with mono-cropping. “We have our training center, and demonstration farm, we will train them because we want them to increase their income, and provide them sources of food through integrated farming,” he emphasized.
Visitors and tourists can stay in the cottages while waiting for their freshly cooked meals. Photo: PIA Caraga
“Also, the local rice farmers can avail of the free training on the production of goat, hog, native chicken as well as vegetable production, which are considered as components of the integrated farming,” del Agua elaborated.
Farmer Marty Billones shares his substantial training experience in Kitcharao LGU Farm. Photo: PIA Caraga
Marty Billones, is just one of the many local farmers in Kitcharao who is proud to share their stories, “I am thankful to the government, especially to our local officials for supporting us and for teaching us new ways to improve our farming knowledge and skills, so we are now self-reliant and our livelihood will become stable.”
At present, the facility has also shown a huge potential to be an agri-tourism hub and destination, through its estimated 2,000 square meter fishpond for tilapia production and fishing which is surrounded by cottages where visitors can comfortably relax after a good catch and harvest, as expansion and innovation are part of its roadmap.
From scratch in 2021, the Kitcharao LGU Farm has already trained and supported a total of 300 farmers, and its doors continue to welcome others who believe that there is always food for everyone. (RLE/NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
The Pond for Tilapia production and fishing. Photo: PIA Caraga
Inside the Kitcharao LGU Farm Training Center in Agusan del Norte. From left front is Kitcharao Mayor Jenry Montante and to the front right is Nora Lanuza Molde, information center manager of PIA Agusan del Norte. Photo: PIA Caraga
