CALABANGA, CAMARINES SUR – Revitalizing the industry of cassava is one of the major priorities of the Corn and Cassava Program. Through various activities such as the Cassava Harvest Festival, Techno Demo, and Assemblership Training, farmers recognize the advantages of planting cassava and expanding their production area.

In Calabanga, a variety called “Rayong 72” was harvested and introduced as a primary raw material for the animal feeds being produced by our 2,335 cassava farmers in Camarines Sur. This cassava cultivar gives the highest dry roots yield making it the best produce for chipping, and granulating.

Since 2003, San Miguel Foods, Inc. (SFMI) became the buyer of the harvest of the cassava associations supported by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office 5. More so, SFMI intensified the purchase of the granulated cassava since it is a raw material for the feed products they sell. They prefer buying directly from the farmers to sustain farm income, and ensure a ready market for cassava.

Cassava Assembler Felix Grajo rented a 1.5-hectare land in Camuning, Calabanga, Camarines Sur where the Rayon 72 was cultivated. He led the 12-month cassava cropping. On May 4, DA RFO 5 through the Corn and Cassava Program and SFMI staged the Cassava Harvest Festival which was joined by over a a hundred corn farmers.

In his inspirational message, he elaborated, “Dakol pang bakanteng daga digdi kaya pigtatanuman ko ning kamoteng kahoy, padakulaon ta pa ang mga tanuman ta. Bako lang sa mais kundi pati sa cassava.”

Chairperson of the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council (RAFC) Bernadette Delos Santos reminded the attendees of the importance of the harvest festival. She said, “It’s such as a blessing for us to be able to hold a harvest festival. Why do we celebrate a harvest? Well, for most, because it’s the time of abundance, and therefore time to give thanks for all the gifts we have received yet we may know that many people do not have enough so, it is also the time to remind us of the importance of taking care of those who are in need.” She added that through this activity, farmers will be able to create openness in engaging in the cassava industry, whether commercial or industrial.

Delos Santos led the harvest of cassava with the Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) for CamSur Marcial T. Bustarga, Corn and Cassava Report Officer Kim Jonah B. Antioquia, Calabanga Mayor Eugene Norman B. Severo, Municipal Agriculturist Megdonio A. Segovia, Jr., Municipal Councilor Adonis B. Aguilar, Jr., and Municipal Corn Technician Ryan F. Calatrava.

APCO for CamSur Marcial T. Bustarga urged the farmers to see the potential of cassava in their communities. He also mentioned that DA will help them reach the maximum potential of cassava in the Bicol Region.

SFMI AgriDev Luzon Operations Head Raymund Joseph R. Britanico assured the farmers that they will be supported by provision of quality of planting materials, production, harvesting, and processing of the cassava chips to conform with the quality standards set by the SFMI.

As DA promotes farm mechanization and provides post-harvest facilities and equipment to the farmers, the Corn Program with the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED,) showcased the process of using a Cassava Granulator as they tackle various industrial and commercial uses of cassava aside from being a major raw material for animal feeds. (MA. EDELYN F. BONGALOS)

Mainstreaming the potential of Cassava Industry through the Cassava Harvest Festival

CALABANGA, CAMARINES SUR – Revitalizing the industry of cassava is one of the major priorities of the Corn and Cassava Program. Through various activities such as the Cassava Harvest Festival, Techno Demo, and Assemblership Training, farmers recognize the advantages of planting cassava and expanding their production area.

In Calabanga, a variety called “Rayong 72” was harvested and introduced as a primary raw material for the animal feeds being produced by our 2,335 cassava farmers in Camarines Sur. This cassava cultivar gives the highest dry roots yield making it the best produce for chipping, and granulating.

Since 2003, San Miguel Foods, Inc. (SFMI) became the buyer of the harvest of the cassava associations supported by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office 5. More so, SFMI intensified the purchase of the granulated cassava since it is a raw material for the feed products they sell. They prefer buying directly from the farmers to sustain farm income, and ensure a ready market for cassava.

Cassava Assembler Felix Grajo rented a 1.5-hectare land in Camuning, Calabanga, Camarines Sur where the Rayon 72 was cultivated. He led the 12-month cassava cropping. On May 4, DA RFO 5 through the Corn and Cassava Program and SFMI staged the Cassava Harvest Festival which was joined by over a a hundred corn farmers.

In his inspirational message, he elaborated, “Dakol pang bakanteng daga digdi kaya pigtatanuman ko ning kamoteng kahoy, padakulaon ta pa ang mga tanuman ta. Bako lang sa mais kundi pati sa cassava.”

Chairperson of the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council (RAFC) Bernadette Delos Santos reminded the attendees of the importance of the harvest festival. She said, “It’s such as a blessing for us to be able to hold a harvest festival. Why do we celebrate a harvest? Well, for most, because it’s the time of abundance, and therefore time to give thanks for all the gifts we have received yet we may know that many people do not have enough so, it is also the time to remind us of the importance of taking care of those who are in need.” She added that through this activity, farmers will be able to create openness in engaging in the cassava industry, whether commercial or industrial.

Delos Santos led the harvest of cassava with the Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) for CamSur Marcial T. Bustarga, Corn and Cassava Report Officer Kim Jonah B. Antioquia, Calabanga Mayor Eugene Norman B. Severo, Municipal Agriculturist Megdonio A. Segovia, Jr., Municipal Councilor Adonis B. Aguilar, Jr., and Municipal Corn Technician Ryan F. Calatrava.

APCO for CamSur Marcial T. Bustarga urged the farmers to see the potential of cassava in their communities. He also mentioned that DA will help them reach the maximum potential of cassava in the Bicol Region.

SFMI AgriDev Luzon Operations Head Raymund Joseph R. Britanico assured the farmers that they will be supported by provision of quality of planting materials, production, harvesting, and processing of the cassava chips to conform with the quality standards set by the SFMI.

As DA promotes farm mechanization and provides post-harvest facilities and equipment to the farmers, the Corn Program with the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED,) showcased the process of using a Cassava Granulator as they tackle various industrial and commercial uses of cassava aside from being a major raw material for animal feeds. (MA. EDELYN F. BONGALOS)