Various research for development (R4D) technologies took the centerstage during the Lakbay Palay: Farmers’ Field Day and Forum held at DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Midsayap on 7 September 2022. 

With the theme, Ani ay Sigurado sa Teknolohiyang Garantisado, farmers were treated with a tour on various R4D technologies such as rice varietal technology demonstration, postharvest facilities, Palayamanan plus models, Fertilizer derby, and Abonong Swak demonstration farm. 

The event, the first physical celebration for a farmer’s field day and forum in the region since the pandemic, was attended by DA-BAR OIC-director Dr. Sailila E. Abdula, DA-PhilRice deputy executive director Dr. Karen Eloisa T. Barroga, DA-PhilRice Midsayap OIC-branch director Ommal H. Addulkadil, and farmers from different provinces in Mindanao. 

In his message, director Abdula assured the farmers that using modern farming technologies and techniques like the ones showcased in the event will be beneficial not just for them but for the future of Philippine agriculture. 

“Garantisado na masagana ang magiging ani ng ating mga magsasaka basta’t ito’y ginamitan ng modernong pamamaraan at teknolohiya na inilaan ng pamahalaan,” he said. 

Since this was the first farmer’s field day and forum to be organized in a while, director Abdula hopes that this will reignite farmer’s curiosity in learning more about the modern farming technologies presented by the national government. 

“Sa ating mga magsasaka at grupo mula sa iba’t ibang sektor, nawa[‘y] ang pagtitipong ito ay maging daan para kayo ay maka-diskubre at matuto ng mga makabagong pamamaraan at teknolohiya na inyong magagamit sa inyong mga sakahan, dahil kung tutuusin, ito ay binuo para lamang sa inyo,” director Abdula added. (### Kathleen Mae B. Bulquerin)