With 50 farmer-cooperators from selected barangays of Candelaria, Quezon and a number of possible farmer-adoptors, a Farmers’ Field Day on Soybean Production showcasing crop diversification and poultry integration was conducted on 24 May 2022. 

Convened by DA-CALABARZON, in collaboration with the Municipal Agriculture Office of Candelaria, Quezon, the event aimed to ensure sustainable production and availability of food commodities and increase productivity and income of farmers, through diversified farming; and adoption of package of technologies (POTs) for coconut, vegetables, and native chicken production. 

The soybean production was one of the interventions of the DA-BAR funded project titled, Outscaling of Coconut-based Farming System in Candelaria, Quezon implemented in Sta. Catalina Norte, Sta. Catalina Sur, Pahinga Sur, San Isidro and Kinatihan I. 

Coconut-based farming system was one strategy adopted by farmers of Candelaria, Quezon, through intercropping high value crops such as hot pepper, okra, soybean, and coconut; and integrating native chicken to maintain high productivity, profitability and sustainability of the existing coconut, thereby, maximizing the economic yield of the farm. 

The introduction of soybean farming in selected cooperators’ farms using the established POTs revealed a yield higher than the potential yield for soybean as exhibited during the farmer’s field day. 

The activity further promoted the integrated nutrient management through fertilization based on soil analysis and the use of wood vinegar and other organic concoction as growth promoters and yield enhancer.

Three farmer-cooperators shared their learnings and experiences in growing soybean. 

Jimmy Punay is a farm-helper and beneficiary of the project. He was the only farmer among the cooperators and beneficiaries who had prior experience in soybean production. “Dahil po sa magandang butil ng ating soya, malaki po ang ating ani. Masaya po akong maibahagi sa inyo ang aking nalalaman sa pagpapatubo ng soya,” he said. 

Angelito Hernandez is the owner-farmer of the soybean demonstration farm. He shared with other farmers his learnings and benefits gained by growing soybean. With the rising cost of inputs in rice production, planting soybean after the harvest of rice can be an additional source of income specially during the dry season. 

Claro Comia farmer-owner cooperator, encouraged the farmers to follow the introduced POTs in growing soybean to produce a good harvest. “Ito po ay napatunayan ko sa aking farm na talagang maganda ang naging bunga. Kaya po ako’y nagpapasalamat  sa mga natutunan ko at sa proyektong ito dito sa ating barangay,” she said. (### Maria Elena Garces)