The capacity building on rubber-farming technology with soil and water conservation approach radiated a sense of optimism to the farmers of New Manay, Maragusan town in this province. In partnership with the Department of Agriculture, farmers participated in field exposures in rubber plantations and trained on proper planting of rubber seeds and managing rubber seedlings.
Rubber trees are known to prevent landslides and one tree holds up to 75,000 liters of water. “Rubber is more sustainable in nature, though we still have to wait for six years before we can utilize it,” shares farmer Welencio T. Magbutang. Farmers were taught to implement inter-cropping rubber with other farm produce such as corn, vegetables, coffee and banana. With this technology, farmers can earn an estimated income of P200 a day while waiting for the crop to grow.
To date, there are 80 beneficiaries cultivating a total of 500 rubber seedlings through the help of Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Service Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Kalahi-CIDSS Pamana). They now have four model farms in the area for residents to learn from in terms of proper ways of planting and growing rubber seeds.
Kalahi-CIDSS Pamana is a program developed to improve access of conflict-affected barangays to quality basic social services and responsive, transparent and accountable local governments. The project invests in empowering people and in advancing peace-promoting community initiatives.
Having undergone the distinct Kalahi-CIDSS social preparation phase which involves orientation, community assemblies, participatory situation analysis, and validation, residents agreed on a project that would provide them a long-term income and help preserve the environment at the same time. Aside from the income from the rubber seeds, this project helps secure the community’s safety from upcoming calamities.