Gearing up to 2020 regional Sorghum production challenge

PAGADIAN CITY (April 3, 2019) – To produce more food for the increasing Philippine population, Secretary Emmanuel Piñol has ordered regional directors to put up sorghum techno demo farms in preparation to the huge production challenge targeting 10,000 hectares to be planted with sorghum by 2020.

“Nationwide, each regional field office has a target of 10,000 hectares to be planted with sorghum. This is a big challenge to us and we will be seeking support and help from the LGUs to encourage farmers to plant sorghum,” OIC Regional Executive Director Dr. Dennis H. Palabrica bared this challenge early morning of March 23 as he steered the Farmers’ Field Day and Sorghum Harvest Festival at the Sorghum Techno Demo Farm established by the Research Division of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit IX.  

To attain the 10,000 hectares to be cultivated with sorghum, Palabrica considered it is a tall order made by Sec. Piñol.  He appealed to municipal agricultural and fishery councils to help DA accede the target, saying: “If we help one another, surely, we can attain this challenge,” he said. 

He shared that mid of 2018, the secretary called all the regional directors for them to experience the actual planting and harvesting of sorghum at his own demo farm in North Cotabato.  “The secretary purposely did not clean the area to observe if sorghum would thrive over the grasses because he wants to promote sorghum production to indigenous peoples to cultivate their idle lands.”

Immediately after the secretary’s directive, on Dec. 4, 2018, Dir. Palabrica led the mass planting of hybrid sorghum variety ABS 763 (TR) F1 hybrid in a 6,400 square meter farm at DA9 Research Complex of DA in Barangay Sanito, Ipil. 

Palabrica explained the importance of having a sorghum techno demo farm for Region IX to have further study and make a technology package prior to massive campaign of sorghum production next year.   He said Sibuco has already pledged two (2) hectares for sorghum techno demo.  

 

Dir. Palabrica clarified that for 2019, the sorghum program is lodged under Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program and Zamboanga del Norte is among the 30 SAAD target areas.  However, as mandated to produce more food for the increasing population with much bigger budget given to DA, the sorghum program will become part of National Corn Banner Program by 2020.  Sorghum is seen to augment corn production to feed the increasing Philippine population.   The director told Engr. Tessie Montano, Region IX’s Regional Corn Banner Coordinator to get ready for the 10,000 hectare sorghum challenge by 2020. 

Moreover, he said that while the program is still going on – many observations should be studied.  “We want to find out if it is true that second ratoon gives higher yield than the first harvest.  This would mean less expense and more income to farmers because it is less laborious to the farmers since they would only wait for the ratoon to harvest.”

From what he learned from Sec. Piñol, the green hybrid sorghum is for livestock feeds and fodder as he already tried giving it to chickens and observed that his chicken lays more eggs.  The hybrid green sorghum is expected to support the country’s growing poultry and livestock industry that would eventually address food sufficiency. 

In terms of market, Sec. Piñol had invited a livestock expert from Australia who feed his cow with sorghum stalk together with corn stalk.  The secretary said sorghum seed is high in protein and good food for poultry while its stalk is for livestock. 

Sorghum is similar to corn and is a drought tolerant crop, according to Senior Science Research Specialist Jonas Araya who managed the Sorghum Techno Demo Farm using SAAD funds.  According to Araya, the hybrid green sorghum ABS 763 variety is basically drought tolerant.  He recalled that since December 4 to March 24, he recorded only 4 rain downpours.  Nonetheless, he irrigated the crop using a sprinkler. 

A farmer leader from La Libertad Emmanuel Abrasado probed Research Specialist Araya if sorghum can be planted during rainy season.  Araya keenly said, “Yes, as long as the area is not water-logged. Sorghum is similar to corn but if your area is water logged there is a tendency it can’t withstand but may be drought tolerant sorghum can still thrive during rainy season.”

Regional Sorghum Focal Person Jay Aaron Ladera accompanied SAAD coordinators and farmer-beneficiaries from Tampilisan, Manukan, Liloy, La Libertad, Sibutad and Dipolog City to participate in the harvest festival.  He said that for 2019, the SAAD program targeted 46 hectares for sorghum production in Zamboanga del Norte province.

Meanwhile, Research Division Chief Bagaforo said, “we will soon provide you a “package of technology” as guide in planting sorghum considering the tall order from Sec. Piñol to plant 10,000 hectares sorghum in each regional field unit.”

Regional Technical Director for Research, Regulatory and Policy Maria Melba B. Wee, for her part, emphasized that if DA wishes to formulate sorghum as main ingredient for livestock feeds, a study/analysis for protein content, it should be conducted. 

At the harvest festival, Regional Executive Director, using a sickle, demonstrated the right way of harvesting sorghum and retained at least 8 inches to allow its tillers to emerge.  Apart from SAAD farmer-beneficiaries, Research Station superintendents from Mahayag Livestock Breeding Center Felixa Bomes and Ruben Baltonado of Betinan Research Station were present who were advised to bring some seeds and stalks to give to chickens and cows, respectively to make their own observations. (By JONG CADION with Remedios S. Alejado/DA9 PR and photos)